![Branch Brook Park, Newark](/img/gd_attr/51152.jpg)
Branch Brook Park, Newark (must see)
Branch Brook Park is the largest public park in the city, spanning 360 acres (1.5 square kilometers). This county park, managed by Essex County, is renowned for having the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States. With over 4,300 cherry blossom trees of more than fourteen different varieties, collectively called Cherryblossomland, the park becomes a picturesque landscape each April during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, attracting approximately 10,000 visitors.
The park was officially established in 1895 by the newly-formed Essex County Parks Commission, marking it as the nation's first county park. The land had previously served as an Army training ground during the American Civil War. In 1898, a public appropriation facilitated the transformation of the swampy area into a landscaped lake, and the park initially covered only 60 acres (0.2 square kilometers). The park expanded significantly in the 1920s thanks to private donations from prominent Newark families, further enhancing its beauty and size.
The first designs for Branch Brook Park, which were based on romantic garden themes, were proposed in 1895 and 1898 by various architectural firms commissioned by the Parks Commission. In 1900, the renowned firm of Frederick Law Olmsted was hired to redesign the park, infusing it with the naturalistic and scenic elements that characterize many of their projects. The famous cherry trees were added in 1927, a generous gift from Caroline Bamberger Fuld, sister of department store magnate Louis Bamberger and widow of the store's vice president, enhancing the park's allure and creating a lasting legacy.
The park was officially established in 1895 by the newly-formed Essex County Parks Commission, marking it as the nation's first county park. The land had previously served as an Army training ground during the American Civil War. In 1898, a public appropriation facilitated the transformation of the swampy area into a landscaped lake, and the park initially covered only 60 acres (0.2 square kilometers). The park expanded significantly in the 1920s thanks to private donations from prominent Newark families, further enhancing its beauty and size.
The first designs for Branch Brook Park, which were based on romantic garden themes, were proposed in 1895 and 1898 by various architectural firms commissioned by the Parks Commission. In 1900, the renowned firm of Frederick Law Olmsted was hired to redesign the park, infusing it with the naturalistic and scenic elements that characterize many of their projects. The famous cherry trees were added in 1927, a generous gift from Caroline Bamberger Fuld, sister of department store magnate Louis Bamberger and widow of the store's vice president, enhancing the park's allure and creating a lasting legacy.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Newark. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Branch Brook Park on Map
Sight Name: Branch Brook Park
Sight Location: Newark, USA (See walking tours in Newark)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Newark, USA (See walking tours in Newark)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Newark, New Jersey
Create Your Own Walk in Newark
Creating your own self-guided walk in Newark is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Newark's Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Founded in 1666, Newark has no shortage of historic locations: districts, buildings, parks, cemeteries, and other venues. Much of its old-time architecture are notable sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
One such is the Essex County Courthouse, a striking example of Renaissance architecture, built in 1904. This grand building, with its impressive marble columns, ornate... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
One such is the Essex County Courthouse, a striking example of Renaissance architecture, built in 1904. This grand building, with its impressive marble columns, ornate... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Newark Introduction Walking Tour
Newark, the most populous city of New Jersey, is also one of the oldest cities in the United States, established in 1666. Settled by Puritans from New Haven Colony, Newark was initially a theocratic community, which diversified as new settlers introduced different ideas.
Named likely after Newark-on-Trent in England, the city's moniker reveals its colonial roots. Alternative theories... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Named likely after Newark-on-Trent in England, the city's moniker reveals its colonial roots. Alternative theories... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles