Facility Overview
The Brookdale Park Upper Parking Lot is a dedicated, open-air surface parking facility serving visitors to Essex County\'s historic Brookdale Park. Spanning over 121 acres across the borders of Bloomfield and Montclair, New Jersey, Brookdale Park was master-planned by the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape design firm. This upper parking area provides a convenient staging ground on paved asphalt with demarcated spaces and wide circulation lanes. Because it is completely open-air without low-hanging structural barriers or overhead deck beams, the lot features unlimited vertical clearance. This makes it fully accessible and easy to navigate for compact cars, full-size pickup trucks, large SUVs, and passenger vans alike.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Positioned directly inside the park grounds along Circuit Drive, this parking lot places visitors within steps of premier recreational facilities and cultural attractions:
- Brookdale Park Rose Garden & Arboretum: Located just a 2 to 4-minute walk away, showcasing manicured heritage roses and quiet walking paths.
- Brookdale Park Track & Field Facility: A state-of-the-art synthetic running track, turf football/soccer pitch, and stadium bleachers situated within a 3 to 5-minute stroll.
- Essex County Summer Concert Series Stage: Site of popular free outdoor summer musical performances and annual fine arts and craft fairs, located immediately adjacent on the central lawns.
- Brookdale Dog Park & Tennis Center: Less than a 7-minute walk across the park, featuring multiple fenced play runs and lit tennis and pickleball courts.
- Upper Montclair Business District: Located roughly 1 mile west along Bellevue Avenue, featuring a vibrant collection of boutique shops, cafes, bakeries, and upscale dining.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
The Brookdale Park Upper Parking Lot is accessed via Circuit Drive, the park\'s scenic one-way interior perimeter loop. Drivers typically enter the park road network via Watchung Avenue from the south or Bellevue Avenue and Grove Street from the east and north. Egress is straightforward via Circuit Drive, directing motorists smoothly back onto major Bloomfield and Montclair thoroughfares. The facility is exceptionally well connected to regional highways, situated just 1 mile west of the Garden State Parkway (Exits 151 and 153A) and minutes from State Route 3 and Route 46. Public transit users can connect via NJ Transit bus routes along Broad Street or Grove Street, while the NJ Transit Montclair-Boonton rail line is accessible at nearby Watchung Avenue or Upper Montclair commuter stations, approximately a 15 to 20-minute walk or 4-minute rideshare from the park.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Paved open-air surface layout with clear stall striping.
- Generous stall widths accommodating family vehicles, trucks, and vans.
- Unlimited vertical clearance with no overhead height restrictions.
- Designated ADA-accessible parking spaces close to paved, grade-level park pathways.
- Completely free public parking provided by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
- Direct access to walking, running, and cycling loops.
- Nighttime pathway and roadway lighting conforming to park hours.
Ideal For
- Athletes and joggers utilizing the regulation running track and sports fields.
- Families spending the day at the playgrounds and open picnic lawns.
- Horticulture enthusiasts visiting the renowned Brookdale Park Rose Garden.
- Music and festival attendees enjoying the Essex County Summer Music Series or seasonal craft shows.
- Pet owners visiting the Brookdale Dog Park.
Visitor & Driver Tips
While the upper lot provides ample parking during typical weekday mornings and early afternoons, spaces fill rapidly on sunny weekend mornings and during youth soccer or track tournaments. For major community events, particularly the summer evening concerts and Memorial Day craft fairs, drivers should plan to arrive 30 to 45 minutes ahead of schedule to secure a spot. Drive with extra vigilance along Circuit Drive, as runners, dog walkers, and cyclists frequently cross the interior roadway. Note that overnight parking is prohibited; the park and parking grounds close strictly at 10:00 PM daily.
