Friends of Anderson Park

Anderson Park, in Montclair, N.J., is a nearly 15-acre tranquil suburban oasis designed more than a century ago by the nationally renowned Olmsted Brothers firm. Its curving pathways and naturalistic ambiance reflect the aesthetic principles of Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect for Central Park in Manhattan, and it was designed by his stepson, John Charles Olmsted.

Anderson Park
Photo © Scot Surbeck

The parkland was donated by Charles W. Anderson, an insurance executive and prominent Montclair resident, and in 1902 it became part of the pioneering Essex County Park Commission system. Extensive labor transformed swampy ground into meadows, playing fields and pathways shaded by trees and shrubs. The park opened in 1905 and became an inspiration to town leaders, inspiring a movement one year later to create a network of town parks.

Photo © Scot Surbeck

Today Anderson Park -- bordered on the north by Bellevue Avenue, on the south by The Parkside, on the west by North Mountain Avenue and on the east by railroad tracks - is a favorite among strollers, dog walkers, and children learning to ride bicycles. Its meadow is used for volleyball, soccer and lacrosse. The 3/5-mile of paved pathways attracts joggers and is wheelchair friendly. Bathrooms are at the southeast corner. Each fall the park is host to the popular Fine Arts and Crafts Show, and in the spring it is usually the host for Art in the Park. Year-round the park serves as a village green for the historic Upper Montclair shopping district nearby.

In the summer of 2006 the park enjoyed a $1 million makeover, acquiring more than 130 new trees and shrubs. Friends of Anderson Park is committed to furthering that rehabilitation in the spirit of the original Olmsted design.

Friends of Anderson Park at Work

Ongoing planting of trees and shrubs following the historic 1904 Olmsted plan. We have planted 57 trees and 74 shrubs, and are planting more of both throughout 2009. In 2006 we worked with Essex County, the park's owner, to plant 130 trees and shrubs.
Nominating the park to the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and preparing an in-depth history of this century-old park.
Apply for grants to further rehabilitate the park's historic landscape.
Consulted in design decisions to ensure that features such as lamp posts, pavers and bathrooms were compatible with the historic Olmsted design during a $1 million facelift by Essex County.
Hired a certified tree expert and worked with landscape designers and botanists to prepare a survey of the park's existing trees, consult historic planting maps and select species for future plantings.
Lead an annual historic walking tour every May.
Reach out to educate and involve the community in the park's stewardship through clean-ups, public presentations and projects with schools and service organizations.
Plan activities and special events with an environmental focus for youth groups and children.