Glen Ridge is especially proud of its Recreation Program. Programs and activities are administered by the Glen Ridge Parks and Recreation Department, located in the Glen Ridge Senior-Community Center (Train Station) 228 Ridgewood Avenue. All programs, activities, and park facilities are available for enjoyment by Borough residents. The facilities accessible through the Recreation Department include 9 parks, 4 schools, the town pool, and the Glen Ridge Senior-Community Center. Included in the recreation areas are baseball, softball, soccer, football, field hockey and lacrosse fields, playgrounds, tennis and platform tennis courts, and a seasonal skate park. For more information about the Borough Recreation Department and programs, please contact Jim Cowan, Recreation Director at 973-748-2924.

Athletic & Recreational Facilities Glen Ridge Senior-Community Center Youth Programs Senior Citizen Programs Special Events

Athletic & Recreational Facilities

Carteret Park:  Enter on Carteret Street or Lorraine Street located between Midland Avenue and Hawthorne Avenue. Features include children's playground, regulation baseball diamond, softball/youth baseball diamond, soccer field, hockey rink, and field house.

Forest Avenue Field:  Located on Forest Avenue between Sunset Avenue and Glen Ridge Parkway. Features include children's playground, softball/youth baseball diamond, field hockey/soccer field and basketball court.

Sherman Avenue Field:  Located on Sherman Avenue between Bay Avenue and Baldwin Street. Features include softball/youth baseball diamond, and youth soccer field.

Clay Field:  Located at the intersection of Sherman Avenue and Belleville Avenue. Features include children's playground, youth softball/tee-ball diamond, youth soccer field and paddleball courts.

Hurrell Field:  Enter on Bloomfield Avenue or Belleville Avenue located between Highland Avenue and Herman Street. Features include regulation baseball diamond, football/soccer field, quarter-mile all-weather running track, basketball court and field house.

*Note:  Organizations or groups of ten or more wishing to use a Borough park or field must obtain a permit. Click here for a permit application.

The Glen Bike Path and Gazebo:  Located along the southern side of Bloomfield Avenue between Hillside Avenue and Freeman Parkway. *Note: Those wishing to use the Gazebo for a private function (wedding pictures, etc) must obtain a permit. Click here for a permit application.

Freeman Tennis Courts:  Located on Woodland Avenue. Home of the Glen Ridge High School boys and girls tennis teams, the six clay courts are open seven days a week April through October (weather permitting). Membership fee required. Click here for more information.

Glen Ridge Pool:  Located on Clark Street between Bloomfield Avenue and Thomas Street. Click here for more information.

Paddleball Courts:  Supported but not operated by the Borough Recreation Department, the two courts are located at the intersection of Sherman Avenue and Belleville Avenue. Call Ross Stevens at 973-746-9355 for information.

Freeman Gardens:  Located at the intersection of Maolis Avenue and Hawthorne Avenue, beautiful Freeman Gardens is not operated or maintained by Borough Recreation, but by resident volunteers! Call President Lawrence Stauffer at 973-748-3730 for information.

Glen Ridge Senior-Community Center

For over 120 years, residents of Glen Ridge have passed through the train station at 228 Ridgewood Avenue. The original wood building, built "up the road" in 1872, housed the ticket office and a barbershop. Beginning in 1883, the station also served as the town's Post Office.

The present Queen Anne-style building was constructed in 1887 thanks to the vision and effort of local developer A.G. Darwin. The building is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and in 2001 the building was renovated and reopened as the Glen Ridge-Senior Community Center. It is a great source of pride in our town! While serving Borough commuters, senior citizen and youth programs the Center is also available for event rental click here for rental information.


Youth Programs

Youth Drop-in Center:  3:00pm - 5:00pm at the Glen Ridge Senior-Community Center on school days for school age children. Supervised activities include fooseball, and board games or kids can do homework in the back room.

Friday Night Rec:  For grades 3,4,5,6 at the Ridgewood Ave. School. Program runs December through March. Activities include a wide range of gym games. For registration go to www.grmac.org and click on youth programs.

Summer Day Camp:  Proudly serving approximately 250 Borough youth (ages 5 - 12) for over 25 years! Registration begins in April. The 7 week program includes trips, arts & crafts, and swimming, 9am - 3pm, Mon - Fri.

Youth Sports - Glen Ridge Athletic Association:  Supplemented by the Borough Recreation Department, The Glen Ridge Athletic Association is a volunteer organization, which sponsors, organizes and promotes organized sports activities for the children of Glen Ridge. The organization is committed to providing the children of Glen Ridge with the opportunity to participate in and enjoy organized sports regardless of their level of ability. The organization also is committed to providing the more advanced athlete the opportunity to participate at a more serious level of play. For more information go to www.graa.org.

Glen Ridge Men's Softball League:  Glen Ridge Recreation supports the competitive slo-pitch softball league from late June to early August for men over 30 years of age. Call Jim Parrinello, League president at 973-743-8005 for information.

Senior Citizen Programs

All senior citizen programs take place at the Glen Ridge Senior-Community Center. To receive the monthly senior citizen newsletter by mail or to register for programs call the Rec office (973) 748-2924. Programs include:

• Weekly Exercise Program
• Weekly Art Program
• Monthly Blood Pressure Screening
• Health Lecture Luncheon Series
• Weekly Grocery Shopping Trips
• Monthly Pot Luck Luncheon
• Senior Field Trips

Ashenfelter 8K Race and 1 mile Ridger Romp:  Go to www.ashenfelterclassic.com

Pumpkin Hunt:  Join us in October for a giant Pumpkin Hunt. For children grades pre-K - 3rd.

Egg Hunt:  Join us in the spring for a giant Egg Hunt. For children grades pre-K - 3rd.

For more information about the Borough Recreation Department and programs, please contact Jim Cowan, Recreation Director at 973-748-2924 or via e-mail at jtcowan@glenridgenj.org.