Where is Watsessing Park?
I am surprised that many East Orange residents don't know the
location of Watsessing Park, but here is a map to guide you to
the site of the East Orange Tea Party on the bank of the Second
River that runs through the park. We met at the spot pointed out
in the red circle on the map.
A lot of the confusion about the location of the park may be
caused by the fact that it is NOT a municipal park, but is
controlled by Essex County, and the main part of the park is in
Bloomfield, so that is the "official" address. If you
search Google Maps for "Watsessing Park, East Orange,
NJ" it sends you instead to "Watsessing Park,
Bloomfield, NJ...NEAR East Orange." You can't see the Second
River on any satellite maps because of the trees lining the
banks. I have marked it in blue on the map.
If you follow Glenwood Avenue towards Bloomfield, you will
drive right past the park. You can park your car along the sides
of Glenwood Avenue, and it is an easy walk into the park. We met
just beneath (and in view of) The Franklin Branch of the East
Orange Library, at 165 Dodd Street. That is also the home of the
Jersey Explorer's Children's Museum. It is also across from
Whitney Houston Academy on Dodd Street, which old timers will
better remember as Franklin School.
If you need more help than that, contact me at [email protected]