HOST COMMUNITY - CEDAR GROVE

Incorporated as a township with Verona in 1842. Thomas Jacobus purchased the entire valley from the Indians in the early 1700's. The families of VanRipers, Personnettes, Canfields, and Bowdens developed large farm tracts here in the ensuing years.

HOST COMMUNITY - CALDWELL

Originally the Old Horseneck Tract purchased from the Sagamore Indians in 1701.  Incorporated in 1793, it once encompassed portions of Livingston, Roseland, Essex Fells, and Verona.

HOST COMMUNITY – NORTH CALDWELL

Originally a part of Caldwell until its separation in 1898.

HOST COMMUNITY - VERONA

Incorporated as a borough in 1907 after separating from Caldwell.  Verona lies in the valley between the First and Second Watchung Mountains.

ACREAGE
284.16

LOCATION
Fairview Ave. , Cedar Grove
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HISTORIC PROFILE

Hilltop Reservation is the most recent addition to the Park System.  It is composed of lands formerly included in the grounds of the Essex County Hospital Center.  The land was designated a Conservation Easement in 2001, by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, permanently dedicating it for conservation and recreation purposes, and thereby protecting it from any future development.

In 2003, additional acreage was dedicated, bringing the Reservation’s total to 284.16 acres.  This addition to the County’s official NJ Green Acres Recreation and Open Space Inventory brings the current total acreage of the Essex County Park System to 6010.52.

Portions of the land, particularly some smaller parcels which are not contiguous with the main area, will be dedicated to recreational use by the host communities.

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CURRENT IMPROVEMENTS

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DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

• Hiking trails.
• Wildlife refuge.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

From New Jersey: Take Route 280 to Exit 7/Pleasant Valley Way. Turn right onto Pleasant Valley Way. Turn left onto Bloomfield Avenue. Turn right onto Fairview Avenue. Reservation is on the left.

From New York: George Washington Bridge or Lincoln Tunnel to New Jersey Turnpike South. Take Exit 15W for Route 280 West. Follow above directions.

Use the address “125 Fairview Avenue, Cedar Grove (Essex County Hospital Center)” when obtaining driving directions from the Internet. The Hospital is located across the street from the Reservation entrance.

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