Essex County Regatta Playground

Essex County Regatta Playground

Essex County Regatta Playground
4.5
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles18 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
5
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Dennis Co
North Brunswick, NJ36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
The Essex County Regatta Playground is sometimes overshadowed by the more popular venue across the pond, the Turtle Back Zoo, but the playground holds its own ground in terms of enjoyment and pastime.

Sitting adjacent to the reservoir, the playground is located on some of the most beautiful land in Northern Jersey. Surrounded by the larger South Mountain Reservation, the area overall offers a scenic escape from city life and suburbia which factors into this favorable review. There is no street parking. Rather there is a dedicated, free parking lot, with an extensive overflow lot across the main avenue that runs parallel to the playground. From the various times we've visited, we have never seen the main parking lot filled to capacity.

After crossing the thoroughfare, you will encounter a large gazebo with picnic tables as well as public restrooms. To find the park, you will veer left toward a forested area. The short, but wooded pathway sets the tone for the park itself. This area and the landscaping is very well managed which becomes appealing to the playground goers.

To enter the park, you will pass through a large, gated entry which relies on the guests to secure. We found this very desirable with regards to the safety and security of our children and other children. The gate itself, when secured, would be hard for small children to open. This gives a bit of relief to parents whom allow their children to roam the large playground freely, giving a better ability to monitor the access of others in and out of the playground area. On the other side of the coin, it may seem a bit tight within the enclosed space when the playground is busy.

While not the biggest playground area we've seen in Northern Jersey (smaller than the nearby Van Saun Playground), the playsets and variety are still rather sizeable. The main play structure is in the unique design of a ship which gives the playground its playful nature. That is surrounded by smaller climbing and balancing sets. To the side of the main play structure, there is a smaller playset catered to toddlers. Almost as an annex, there is a section purely dedicated to swings and a ropes pyramid.

The playground area is moderately shaded (still recommend sunscreen on any clear day) and has Adirondack chairs around the perimeter to sit at. There are no picnic tables within the enclosed playground area, but you can simply step out and utilize the aforementioned gazebo, or do a full-on picnic on the grassy areas of the overall park.

Overall, the Regatta Playground is unique and a must visit if you are in the area.
Written August 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sunshine34500
West Orange, NJ2,087 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2020 • Family
Plenty to do here. Swan rides. Picnic areas. Available parking. Pirate Park is terrific recreation of a pirate ship, with all the nooks and grannies. Sure to keep children occupied. Lots of climbing areas as well.
Written June 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

whatJDsaid
West Orange, NJ547 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Friends
The Essex County Regatta Playground is one part of a larger recreation area that includes a picnic pavilion, a reservoir with paddle boats and a walking path around it, and on the far side of the area Turtle Back Zoo and a Treetop climbing course. For those with children, this playground is a good stop. There are many different playground implements to ride or climb on, most with a nautical theme. There are also benches for parents to sit and supervise the kiddies. Parking is across the road with a crossing light for safety. There is a food vending area and bathrooms just cross the picnic pavilion within walking distance. This is a well done play area.
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

duck8to
Montville, NJ6,864 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Solo
The Regatta Playground is as good as it gets for toddlers to 12 year-olds and it's free.. First of all the playground is fenced in so toddlers can not find their way to the street. There are ample trees so that shade can be easily found. Adirondeck chairs are placed intermittently around the perimeter of the play area. There is synthetic matting on the surface to prevent injuries. Only the walkways which link the playground to the Clipper Pavilion, Paddleboat House and 1.7 mile walking path are concrete which helps keep the area clean and dirt free. There are clean men's and ladies restrooms with changing tables. The playground area has a snack hut and McLoone's Boathouse Restaurant is only a short distance down the reservoir paved walking path. There are water fountains also. The playground area has a host of apparatus from two model ships, slides, rock climbs, unique swings, tunnels to rope climbing bridges. The playground area is divided into two parts: 1) Lion's Pride for (5-12) and USS Essex First (2-5). The playground was opened in 2914 and is in excellent shape with nothing that looks worn or broken. Attendants are on duty to keep the place clean. There is ample parking across the street which has a traffic light, cross walk and pedestrian control button to make crossing easy and safe. Turtleback Zoo, Tree Top Adventure, Mini-Golf Safari, South Mountain Recreation Trials and the Paddleboat House are all within walking distance which could make this an all day event.
Written August 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ray L
West Orange, NJ187 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Family
What an awesome playground for children of many ages. I would say from toddler up to 7 or 8. They have swing sets, things to climb, walls to climb, things to touch and things to run around. I have taken my grand children there for the last couple of years, and the parking is free across the street, the playground is locked, although because of the large amounts of kids and parent,s you still need to watch your child.There is a place to buy food, but the selections are small and the prices high. If you can I would bring my own and they have picnic tables to eat at. I can assure you that your child can enjoy himself or herself for a couple of hours, and then you can go play miniature golf or just go to the zoo for the remainder of the afternoon. Nice Saturday or Sunday with the family.
Written June 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sunshine34500
West Orange, NJ2,087 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2019 • Family
Town did a magnificent job in the planning process. It is is "thee" place for play, picnic, swan boating, outdoor parties, chilling and peaceful. Love the entire development. The Pirate Play Ship is over the top. Plenty of parking, safe and lights for crossing. Today is 50+ degrees and the place is bopping.
Written February 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rsquaredb
West Orange, NJ80 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Family
Lots to do for kids of all ages. Fenced in with gate that locks so hard for little ones to "escape as they like to do. Plenty of seating for parents of older kids. There is also a water fountain and bathrooms nearby. Part of South Mountain Resevation complex that includes Turtle Back Zoo, Treetop Adventure and paddle boats. Food is also nearby.
Written February 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BATMAN & CATWOMAN
Long Island, NY2,865 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Family
The Essex Playground is located off the walk of the Essex County Recreation Park. The Playground is awesome for the kids and the walk is beautiful as you walk around the water.
Written July 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GauravTO
Toronto, Canada78 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Family
An absolutely fun place for kids. Very well maintained and neatly kept. Spent several hours with kids and they were still weren’t tired. Not much snacking or lunch options though, keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mona B
West Orange, NJ97 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Family
My kids love this place...so many different things to explore and the place can be packed with families and the kids still have plenty to do. The cushioned ground is terrific. The best part about it is that it feels super safe with one entrance. You know that your child hasn't left the playground if you're by the gate!
Written January 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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