A New Jersey not-for-profit organization founded in 2001 dedicated to the maintenance, restoration and enhancement of the Grover Cleveland Park located in Caldwell and Essex Fells, New Jersey in partnership with the Essex County Park System.

Improving the park

Grover Cleveland Park is greatly improved since the inception of the Conservancy in 2001. Many  upgrades were financed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection  Green Acres grants in 2003 and 2004 and Essex County. Other projects were financed by private donations and grants from Starbucks and the NJ Deptartment of Community Affairs.  The upgrades were identified jointly by the Grover Cleveland Park Conservancy and Essex County with safety as the major driving factor. The two have worked closely on project details and are pleased with the results. 

Gate at Children's Playground

CALENDAR 2009

June 18, 7:30 p.m. - Open Meeting at the Caldwell Municipal Building, 2nd Fl. All are welcome!

July 16, 7:30 p.m. - Buisness Meeting at the Caldwell Municipal Building, 2nd Fl. All are welcome!

August, Concert in The Park - Date & performer TBA.

There will be no August meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Spring Clean-up: On April 4, almost 40 people came out to spruce up the park for spring.  Thanks to all of those caring individuals!  A large truck-load of debris was removed from the park – mostly from the wooded areas.  The list of items dug out from the leaves was surprising – a snow blower, a Tonka truck, a cooler and a spade.  Sadly some think this beautiful park is their personal dump.  The Grover Cleveland Park Conservancy organized this event and was helped by Essex County’s Kashmir Singh. 

Speaker: Phoebe Epstein, Wild Bird Center owner, enlightened over 20 people in the Pond House of local bird habits and care on April 16.  She spoke of bird feeders and nest boxes and how to attract birds to one’s yard.  She discussed the newest residents at the pond, two couples of wood ducks that join the regulars – the mallards.  Using recorded calls of the wood duck, she was even able to call them to the pond!  Truly a wonderful and enlightening evening.  Ms. Epstein leads bird walks on weekend mornings that leave from her store in West Caldwell.  They are open to all who are interested.

Then on April 18, Blossoms in the Park came alive to the sounds of Japanese drummers from the New Jersey School of Percussion’s TaikoZoku band.  The Conservancy chose the Japanese drummers to welcome the 45 new Japanese cherry trees to the park.  Ginza Restaurant in West Caldwell provided snacks and tea for the event.

Fishing Derby: Over 100 children lined the banks of the pond on May 2 for Essex County’s fishing derby.  Prizes were awarded for the first caught and most caught in various age categories.  GCPC offered coffee, tea, cocoa and bagels for sale.  Coffee and bagels were donated by West Caldwell Starbucks and Bagelwich.   

The level of involvement, caring and support from local residents and establishments is a testament of how much Grover Cleveland Park means to people.  It is a central meeting place and place of serenity.  Also, there is variety of plant life and wildlife to become acquainted with.