Cherry Blossom in Branch Brook Park – Newark, NJ

Branch Brook Park, the nation’s first county park, is located in North Newark, with a portion touching the Township of Belleville. Branch Brook is known for housing the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States. The Newark Light Rail runs on the park’s west side, providing multiple access points from Newark Penn Station.

 

Branch Brook Park is nearly 4 miles long and averages 1/4 of a mile in width. At 359.72 acres, it is the largest developed park in Essex County. The park features a combination of open meadows and small patches of woodland on a gently rolling terrain.

 

Collection of Pictures from Branch Brook Park

Branch Brook Park has earned its popularity among National and International visitors for its remarkable cherry blossom display during spring. However, whenever I visit the park, it surprises me with its natural beauty regardless of the season. I have no words or photos that can come close to expressing how much I genuinely enjoy experiencing this treasure. I have tried to capture stunning pictures over the years and am delighted to share a few here. For the best view, click the arrow key on the bottom right corner of the slideshow.

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Branch Brook Park was named after a branch brook streamed through the valley into the nearby Passaic River. The stream and a large part of the surrounding landscape remain. More than 4,000 cherry trees were planted here, greater variety and number than in famed Washington, DC.

 

There is a lovely view inside the park

The park has plenty of scenic locations, especially the blossoms surrounding the lake, which are pretty lovely. Furthermore, the view of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart from the other side of the lake is stunning, and you really can’t beat the golden view of the sunset.

Branch Brook Park is a historic New Jersey must-see on numerous national lists. Outside of the cherry blossoms, it boasts miles of walking, jogging/running, roller skating rink, biking paths, and multiple locations to play basketball, baseball, and other sports.

 

I am so blessed to live only a few blocks from beautiful Branch Brook Park. Here, I have been jogging for the last 28 years and have established a connection with nature.

 

This is an excellent location for photographers as well. During the springtime, the northern part of the park, particularly around the lake, becomes lovely. As a result, tourists flock to enjoy the scenic beauty and participate in seasonal activities such as open-air concerts and festivals.

 

Best Time To Visit

At its height, the Cherry Blossom Festival attracts over 10,000 people a day. However, the best time to visit is between April 15 – 30. When most of the trees should be in full bloom, this time is probably the best chance for you to admire this stunning exhibit of nature. However, you can’t top the view of fall colors between October and November or even when the paths are covered with snow in the winter. If you are planning a trip to the NJ / NY area, do not hesitate to plan a day trip and see it yourself.

 

Cherry Blossom 10K Run

Every spring, between April 10 – 15, you can participate in one of the traditional Cherry Blossom 10K run events and support the community. A portion of the race earnings benefits the Special Olympics. It’s free to enter the park and watch the event—sign up for this year’s event here.

 

Bloomfest, a family day

Bloomfest is a festival that takes place in early spring at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. It has a packed schedule of events for the family, including cultural activities, children’s events, live music, a marketplace, food, and much more.

Habitat in The Park

Cities and towns surrounding the park make a sanctuary for the wildlife looking to escape from the bustling concrete jungle. I have seen many of them coming out of hiding, and below are a few that I captured.

How to Get There

Via Train/Subways

From New York City take NJ Transit or PATH Trains to Newark Penn Station. transfer to Newark Light Rail toward either Branch Brook Park or Grove Street. For the Southern and Middle Divisions, exit at Park Avenue. Exit at Bloomfield Avenue to reach the middle part of the park; the northern area, where most of the actions are taken, is accessible from the Branch Brook Park station.

 

Via Bus

A variety of bus routes provides services to Branch Brook Park. These include NJ Transit’s bus lines 11. 27, 28, 29, 41,72, 74, 90, 92, 93, 99 and 108. For schedule information, call 1-973-491-7000 or visit www.njtransit.com.

Distinguishing Features

• Spectacular view of the Sacred Heart Cathedral across the lake.
• Playgrounds, basketball, tennis, horseshoes.
• A beautiful large lake and a brook were flowing through the north.
• The famed “Cherry Blossom land.”
• Annual 10-k run at cherry blossom time.
• The greenhouse is a central nursery and horticulture center for the entire park system.
• Senior citizen center, originally a boat landing pier.
• Four-mile park drive.
• Pedestrian bridges, Park & Bloomfield Avenue bridges, and the railroad bridges in the northern extension are striking architectural features.

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