Newark Riverfront Park, Newark, NJ, Bezoekersgids & wat te doen in de buurt

Newark Riverfront Park is a string of public green space and walkways along the Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey. It gives the city a way back to a waterfront that industry kept closed off for generations. The Somme Street entrance is known for its bright orange boardwalk and tall orange poles above the riverbank.

The story behind it

For a long time the Passaic's banks in Newark were working land, lined with factories and used for industry rather than recreation. That history left the river badly polluted, and the stretch here is part of an EPA Superfund site. The cleanup of the riverbed is widely seen as a chance for the city to gain more parkland and more access to the water.

The riverfront parks are part of that effort to reconnect residents with the river. The Somme Street entrance, with its orange boardwalk, is one of the most recognisable spots in the park. The water below still carries its long and troubled history on toward Newark Bay.

What to look for

• The boardwalk itself is a bold, fluorescent orange, and it is hard to miss against the riverbank.
• Tall orange poles rise above the bank and give the entrance a distinct, almost sculptural outline.
• Looking down from the boardwalk, you can watch the Passaic move beneath you on its way toward Newark Bay.
• At dusk the orange glows against the dark river, which makes this a rewarding place to linger as the light fades.

Tips for your visit

• Plan on 20 to 40 minutes if you want to walk the boardwalk slowly and take in the river views.
• Late afternoon into dusk is a good time to go, when the orange boardwalk stands out against the darkening water.
• The park is an open outdoor space, so there is nothing to go inside. Check current conditions and access before you set out.
• Newark Penn Station is nearby, so the park fits easily into a day of walking around the city.

See it on a quest

The park works well as one stop on a longer walk through Newark. Ghost Hunt in Newark, NJ passes this spot. You reach it on foot as part of a route through the area, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle right where you are standing. It suits anyone who likes their city history with a darker, spookier edge. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like, with no guide and no set departure time.