5/5 Dennis C. 8 months ago on Google
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.
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