Opening of Children's Garden in Essex County Branch Brook Park

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Branch Brook Park Alliance announced the opening of the Children’s Garden in Essex County Branch Brook Park in Newark on Tuesday, August 12.

The project represents the latest partnership between the County of Essex and the Branch Brook Park Alliance to revitalize Essex County Branch Brook Park and expand the recreation and educational opportunities for children and the public.

“We are always looking for new opportunities to enhance our parks and provide the public with unique ways to experience the outdoors. Not only will the public be able to enjoy the beauty of the Children’s Garden, but it will be an outdoor classroom where students can learn about gardening, and gain an appreciation for nature and the environment,” DiVincenzo said. “This is another example what the partnership between Essex County and the Branch Brook Park Alliance has accomplished to revitalize and transform Essex County Branch Brook Park,” he added.

“Thank you to the County Executive, the Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Branch Brook Park Alliance because this is an ideal spot for a Children’s Garden. Adjacent to the park is an elementary school that will open its doors in September and welcome hundreds of Newark public school students back to school,” said NJ Senator Teresa Ruiz. “The staff will have a phenomenal learning lab resource to teach students about sustainability, nutrition and other subjects, right here in Essex County Branch Brook Park,” she added.

“I remember what this area looked like before what we see now and it is magnificent that it has changed so much and will be so useful for the future, especially to our children,” said Freeholder Vice President Patricia Sebold. “The Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to support the County Executive and the Branch Brook Park Alliance on this new addition to our park system,” she added.

The Children’s Garden will be about half an acre in size and be located adjacent to the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center and within walking distance from Newark’s Park Elementary School. It will consist of seven plant beds with more than 700 plantings of new flowers, shrubs and other landscaping. Among the plants to be installed are Slender Deutzia, Magical Gold Forsythia, Virginia Sweetspire, Dwarf Sumac, Winterberry Holly, New Jersey Tea, Blue Wood Aster, Shale Barren Aster, Purple Clornflower and Little Lemon Goldenrod. There will be a teaching area with benches, a mural where student artwork will be highlighted, a walking path through the garden with park benches and trash receptacles.

The landscape architectural firm of Rhodeside and Harwell from Newark was commissioned by the Branch Brook Park Alliance to design the Children’s Garden. Tec Con Contracting from East Orange was awarded a publicly bid contract for $254,267 to perform the construction work. The Essex County Department of Public Works monitored the project to ensure delays were avoided. The improvements were funded through the Essex County Capital Budget. It was started in May and completed in just three months.

“What we continue to do here for Essex County families is provide these great opportunities and resources for education and I thank the County Executive, the Branch Brook Park Alliance and Rutgers University for working together on this initiative,” said Freeholder Rolando Bobadilla. “Through all of our efforts and collaborations we are keeping families here and we are showing that Essex County is a great county to live in,” he added.

“The Branch Brook Park Alliance is proud to partner with the County Executive and the Board of Chosen Freeholders once again to add additional improvements to our beloved Essex County Branch Brook Park. This new addition to the park will provide wonderful hands-on educational opportunities for our children to learn about nature, gardening, healthy living and much more,” said Branch Brook Park Alliance Co-Chair Barbara Bell Coleman.