The Playgrounds of Fort Lee

One of the best things about growing up in Fort Lee was the playgrounds. Not only did we have so many to choose from, but each one had its own distinct character. Now that I have children of my own, I’ve been able to enjoy the playgrounds all over again and, truth be told, they look much better than they ever did in the 60’s and 70’s when my friends and I used to play in them. For one thing, those lethal soda can pop tops that used to slice whatever part of your body landed on them when you slid off the slide, jumped off the swing or fell off the monkey bars have been replaced with organic wood chips, rubberized macadam, and sand.  

Now that we’re only days away from spring, nicer weather is most certainly on its way and it’s time to think about getting out of the house and celebrate putting this miserable winter behind us. Our Parks Department, the best in Bergen County, has been busy getting the playgrounds ready for the onslaught of parents, like us, eager to air out the kids from the long winter.

For all you parents who have spent the winter stuck inside, playgrounds are the best way to slowly reintroduce yourself to society. There’s no commitment to talk with anyone, but the option is there should you choose it. Now, some of you may be creatures of habit and go to the same playground over and over and over again; usually it’s the one closest to where you live. Some of you may not even be aware that there are other playgrounds in Fort Lee besides the one in your own neighborhood.  Either way, make it a point to visit all of these playgrounds at least once. It will add some spice to your life; at the very least, a much needed change in routine.

INWOOD TERRACE PARK: Located on Inwood Terrace and Juanita Place near Brinkerhoff Avenue this large playground has swings, slides, merry-go-round, and climbers as well as a softball field, basketball courts, picnic tables and a wading pool.

/FORT LEE SKATEBOARD PARK: Located on Anderson Avenue, adjacent to the American Little League Field, this playground has a colorful assortment of equipment: swings, slides, climbers, picnic tables and benches. It also has basketball courts and a roller hockey and skateboard rink! (Use of skate rink for Fort Lee residents only. You must register at the Fort Lee Community Center to receive an entrance pass.)

BILLY BIRCH PARK AT THE RECREATION CENTER: Located on the grounds of the Recreation Center off Stillwell Avenue, these 5.6 acres offers hours of fun. A playground that is handicapped accessible includes swings, slides, climbers, merry-go-round, a wading pool, 8 tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, baseball field, handball court, picnic tables, and a fully accessible Recreation Center with bathrooms.  Every Fort Lee High graduate from the ‘70’s and ‘80’s has very fond memories of the hill above the playground.

: Located on Whiteman Street and Gerome Avenue, this park sits on a dead end street whose dirt path leads to the island of Abbott Boulevard, a popular walking, running, biking area. Firemen’s Park is not very wide, but it is very long. It has slides, swings, climbers, a wading pool, and picnic tables. Because of all the trees, it is very well shaded making it one of the most popular parks during those dog days of summer.

: Located right in the center of town between Fletcher Avenue and Lewis Street on the site of a former movie studio(directly across the street from the Mediterranean North and South apartment buildings) this playground has swings and climbers, a walking/running track, two baseball fields, a bocce ball court, shuffleboard, picnic tables, park benches, and bathrooms. There is also a concession stand that is open during the summer months. 

COYTESVILLE PARK: Formerly known as 6^th Street Park, Coytesville Park is located on 6^th Street. In 1998 this park was dedicated to the Coyte Family, the founding members of Coytesville. This park is bordered on its south side by the pristine wooded preserve of Palisade Interstate Park. There is a play area for older children with a slide, swings, climbing equipment and monkey bars, and a separate area for younger children with an animal merry-go-round, bouncers, and a slide. There are handball courts, tennis courts, and a basketball court, a wading pool, picnic tables and park benches. There is also an original Spanish-American War Cannon that originally sat on the Palisades, but was moved to this park.

WESTVIEW PARK: This playground is located on Westview Avenue off Linwood Avenue in Coytesville, and is not to be confused with Westview Street off Abbott Boulevard. Westview Park has swings, climbers, slides, a merry-go-round, a wading pool, basketball court with benches, and picnic tables. It gets a big draw from the kids who live in the Linwood Apartment Buildings.

BONUS PLAYGROUND

BAYVIEW/WOODLAND PARK: This playground is right over the border of Fort Lee in Englewood Cliffs, but it’s been a tradition for kids in the Coytesville section of town to consider Bayview Park a neighborhood playground. It’s right at the base of a beautiful wooded area, it has climbers, slides and swings. It’s a quiet little spot with picnic tables, and a gazebo right outside its fence. It’s very serene and one of my favorites.  

So there you have it--Fort Lee’s Playgrounds with a bonus thrown in. Visit them all, meet your neighbors, and have some fun!