South Orange, NJ Getting Creative with Places to Sit, Gaze and Ponder Life

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2021

As the summer progresses, so do vacations and, as we are still not completely out of the COVID pandemic, while new variants of the virus are being reported, some folks are reluctant to leave town and instead are taking many stay at home vacations.  Sometimes you just want to take a long walk but you need a destination which means you may need to discover your own hometown. Around South Orange, NJ there are many spots where everyone can enjoy lovely picnics, beautiful landscapes and enjoy off the beaten path places and social locations, where you can sit, stare and ponder uninterrupted, any subject you like.  

Who knows, you might encounter someone you never knew and make an unforgettable memory. There are parks, places, nooks and triangles of spaces to meet everyone's need to ponder life in a friendly public space that meets their needs. An added benefit is that all of these places are within walking distance of our South Orange, NJ public transportation center, the South Orange, NJ Transit train station. So let’s get started checking out some obvious, but not so obvious, spots and parks around South Orange, NJ to sit, gaze and ponder life. 

 

Sitting Around the Town 

South Orange Rapid Lounging 

50 South Orange Ave (8 Village Plaza) NJ.jpg

One of the things this town does very well, thanks to the Government of South Orange along with the South Orange Village Center Alliance, is converting uncommon spaces into places to just sit in. One day you walk past it, the next day the same space is converted into a relation zone with beautiful yellow and blue Adirondack chairs. 

15 Valley Yarn Store, South Orange, NJ .jpg
 

South Orange Parklet

South Orange, NJ parklet staycation.jpg

A "parklet" is located on South Orange Avenue near Sloan Street in front of landmark Bunnies Restaurant, Tito Burritos and Wings, and Lucky 7 Barbershop, where people can stop to chat and enjoy the downtown area. The parklet was designed by Chambers and Clarke, and incorporates native plants and recycled materials.

Next time you pass through town, look out for these inviting spaces, beautiful and relaxing yellow and blue Adirondack chairs, or instant parklets. It's great because instead of just rushing or walking through town, you get to sit, relax and enjoy a different space and view in the middle of town. 

 

Flagpole Monument — Center of South Orange, NJ

If you are from New York City, like me, and can zone out anywhere, well then this is your spot. Like zoning out on a subway ride, this spot is dead center of town. Historically, the first school in South Orange was located in South Orange where the town flagpole and World War 1 Monument now stands. The school had an inaugural class of 30 students which eventually moved and became Columbia High School. 

This site was dedicated in 1924 and contains a monument that’s cast in bronze and mounted in granite, located at the intersection of South Orange and Irvington Avenues. It is dedicated to those lost during World War I, of which six were from the Village. The flagpole was erected and dedicated by the citizens of South Orange in 1926. It has a nice sitting area, and if you like a great vista, then gaze up the hill into South Mountain while listening to the bustling traffic of South Orange Avenue because this is the place to sit, watch and zone out. 

 

Meadowland Park 

Meadowland Park contains 4 softball/little league diamonds, 8 lighted tennis courts, soccer and field sports, and an impromptu jogging path. Located at 5 Mead St in South Orange, NJ, Meadowland Park is the perfect destination for recreation, relaxation and exploration! 

The Meadowland Park Conservancy is making great progress, holding events and providing residents a great time. Winter or summer, Meadowland Park provides folks a perfect excuse to come down to South Orange's largest and most-visited park! From a relaxation perspective, there is a beautiful pond, a very nice gatehouse, walkway bridges and a beautiful vista from the top of Flood’s Hill. You can gaze forever, just think and ponder life for miles. There is so much going on in this park, so check out https://www.meadowlandpark.org.

 

Founders Park 

On a very busy thoroughfare at 265 Valley St is Founders Park. Founders Park is a 2-acre park located in the Academy Heights neighborhood of the Village of South Orange, NJ. The park features a central monument with manicured gardens, a children's playground, and large grassy expanses.

Unique it is. Until 1971, this space was the town cemetery, which had laid in quiet abandonment since 1926, at which time a law was passed forbidding the interment of any more deceased. Many of South Orange's (and Maplewood's) founding families were buried in this park. Look for their names on the central obelisk.

The Founders Park Conservancy is working to improve the park for today and create a vision of a park to be enjoyed for generations. Founders Park has been a hidden gem of the Village's many public spaces. To enjoy this park, just walk into the park off the main street — it gets quiet and reflective. 

 

Galleon Lawn - Seton Hall University (SHU)

As you can see from the video, Galleon Lawn is a wide open space on the Seton Hall University campus. It can be very busy, but other times it’s just a quiet space and great for studying and relaxing. It’s on campus as part of Seton Hall's 16-acres of open space and serves as an area for event and impromptu sports. Another thing to do is take a Seton Hall walking tour that has plenty of nice locations to divert the mind.  https://www.shu.edu/visit/upload/Campus_Map.pdf

 

Spiotta Park 

Spiotta Park, South Orange, NJ.png

Located at the corner of South Orange Avenue and 20-32 Village Plaza, Spiotta Park is in the heart of downtown South Orange. The town website states: “Spiotta Park provides a sitting area in the middle of busy South Orange Village.” In the middle of the day, it is quiet and a great place to sit and enjoy the moment or, like I do, sit and watch the waterfall.

Former South Orange Village Center Executive Director Bob Zuckerman, now South Orange Trustee, stated during the 2018 renovation and revitalization ceremony, "Spiotta will be a great space for our residents and visitors alike to congregate all summer long, including on weekend evenings during our Downtown After Sundown (now Summer Saturdays live music) concerts."

 

South Orange Gazebo 

Near the South Orange Performing Arts Center, across from the South Orange Fire Department, and almost under the South Orange Train overpass, this nugget gets classified as a park. For locals and regulars it's a place to sit for a few and watch the circular traffic. The water fountain gives the kids a distraction as they watch the water, the fire trucks come and go, and/or watch the various trains arrive and leave.  Relax, have a conversation with a friend, and definitely catch a live music concert. The best GPS address to use is 17 Sloan Street, South Orange, NJ 07079.

 

Grove Park

At the eastern end of South Orange is Grove Park, a small park located on Grove Road in the Historic Montrose section of South Orange, NJ.

I found this description from NJ Playgrounds, and it kind of sums it up nicely:

“It is a small park for the pre-school age kids, with a nice walking path loop. It is a nice short walk to downtown South Orange, home of some great restaurants and shops. Nice tunnels for kids to crawl around. Some shade and benches are scattered through the park.”

The town site lists it as: Playground, Walking Track and Passive Recreation. There are benches all around and loads of grass in and out of the sun to passively sit and stare at the vista and the beautiful homes all around the outside.

 

Carter Park

Carter Park, South Orange, NJ.jpg

Yup, this unknown gem Carter Park is located in the Tuxedo Park section of South Orange at College Place off Irvington Ave on the north eastern side of town. It recently received a grant for major improvements (read more here: South Orange’s Carter Park, Maplewood’s Civic House Bridge Get $150K County Grants). While it’s surrounded by homes and businesses, this little pocket park is great when you need a quick break. If you’re working from home but can’t go far, well, grab the kids and let them play while you stare off into the trees.  

 

Farrell Field 

Farrell Field is a park located at the South Western end of South Orange, NJ at 298 Walton Ave. It contains 2 tennis courts, a playground, half court basketball, baseball diamond, and it’s not on the normal travel paths —it’s a good hike to get to from downtown South Orange. This neighborhood park is overseen by the Farrell Field Park Conservancy.  They state:

“We have many missions, but our overriding goal is to work cooperatively with the Township of South Orange Village to help restore, renew, and assist in the maintenance and development of Farrell Field Park for the enjoyment of township residents and its many visitors. The goal is to protect open space, raise public awareness and support the rehabilitation of the park as well as improvements to the park.” 

 

Waterlands Park

Waterlands Park is an out-of-the-way park located at 3rd St in South Orange, NJ. Adjacent to a beautiful apartment complex, it is a recreational outlet with a baseball and softball field, sports area, playground and more of a walking track, not jogging track. Here, for a brief time as you take a short walk, you can closely connect with nature, birds and other natural scenery along the East Branch of the Rahway River. The short walking track has some nice trees which makes this place busy when sports activity is in progress, but at other times it becomes a very quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of your day to day. 

So whether you live, work or visit South Orange, NJ you are advised to take a moment and enjoy a number of places and spots where you can creatively take a break, rethink your life, or think about nothing but the view. 

Being the hometown music guy, I have previously written about Making Live Music Around South Orange, NJ While Adjusting for the COVID-19 Pandemic. In that post, I listed about 14 places to listen to live music.  

 

About the Author — Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus in Spiotta Park, South Orange, NJ with Forget The Whale  

Gregory Burrus in Spiotta Park, South Orange, NJ with Forget The Whale  

Gregory Burrus is writing about his first love: the creative people, towns and events all around South Orange, NJ. Gregory continually observes, participates in, reports and writes on local community news, live music and the arts and entertainment scene of the Jersey/NYC landscape and beyond, right here as JI blogger Gregory Burrus. Contact Gregory Burrus to promote your business or nonprofit across various social media and blogging platforms. https://gregoryburrusproductions.com

RECAP: Juneteenth Celebrations Plus More Produced and Curated by Gregory Burrus Productions

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, August 4, 2021

In producing and promoting live music for Saturday, June 19th this year, there were street closings, art gallery receptions and, of course, the newly mandated holiday for Juneteenth. For many parts of this weekend, it turned into a Holiday Celebration. 

Juneteenth is Now a Federal Holiday

This past week, establishing a new federal holiday — effective immediately — caused some scrambling at courts, government agencies and businesses. As it was literally signed into law days before June 19th, 2021 to be a Federal Holiday, many did not know what it meant or that it was a holiday (see “Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, as Biden signs bill”). 

US President Joe Biden laughs with Vice President Kamala Harris and members of Congress as he signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, June 17, 2021 [Carlos Barria/Reuters]

US President Joe Biden laughs with Vice President Kamala Harris and members of Congress as he signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, June 17, 2021 [Carlos Barria/Reuters]

 

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is the holiday commemorating the end of slavery by marking the day enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. Now, it's a federal holiday (read more here: “So You Want to Learn About Juneteenth”, New York Times). The move comes after growing support nationwide for observing the day of celebration and reflection. 

 

Local Celebrations of Live Music and More

For many of us, we celebrated by reflecting on the greatness of the day and celebrating, but not forgetting some of the recent injustices that still occur today. And for most people, they reflected back on years of struggle, from Angela Davis, Huey Newton and the Black Panthers. The creativity of all types of celebrations helps bring awareness to all that has and is happening. Here’s a look around my town.

 

Recap: Photography and Art

East Orange: Black Panther | Juneteenth Photoshoot

The Black Panther | Juneteenth Photoshoot held in East Orange, New Jersey!! Happy Juneteenth!! Photographer: @theseredmoments; Production: @talent.sunsetmodels

 

West Orange Arts Council — BLM Exhibit 

BLM Exhibit curated by Maria Estrella and Carol Jenkins.

BLM Exhibit curated by Maria Estrella and Carol Jenkins.

Maria Estrela and Carol Jenkins, both female artists of color from Essex County, have a personal connection to a new exhibit in West Orange. For Estrela, she said:

"I purposely utilize my skills to help Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) artists, who are underrepresented in the arts scene […] I feel it's important to raise awareness of the issues faced in their own communities including racism, discrimination, inequality and injustice."

Read more of what they said and all about the exhibit, here:  “For These Artists, BLM Exhibit In West Orange Has Special Meaning

 

RECAP: Live Music Bands Around the Towns 

Live Music Summary 

Here’s a quick recap of the June 19th live music weekend festivities.

 

Victor Jones Trio

Victor Jones Trio.png

We started off in Spiotta Park with world renown drummer Victor Jones with the Victor Jones Trio featuring Robera Piket & Shin Sakeino. The event was produced in association with the South Orange Village Center Alliance. The trio was just amazing to listen to and — an added bonus — it became a mini drummer reunion as drummers rule when Tim Horner, Tommy Campbell, Dorian McGee and many other Victor Jones friends from long ago came out to catch up and enjoy the music.  

 

Destiny Autumn — Music History

Another highlight was Destiny Autumn Tucker who came out and sang beautifully a song with Victor Jones. Then, Destiny Autumn educated us for the Juneteenth Celebration. She walked us through the history of Black Music and demonstrated various methods of communicating and clapping with us. We all enjoyed it tremendously.

 

Drum Circle

Drum Circle by Alison V. Brown and Friends for Juneteenth Celebration in Spiotta Park, South Orange, NJ .

Drum Circle by Alison V. Brown and Friends for Juneteenth Celebration in Spiotta Park, South Orange, NJ .

Aliison Brown orchestrated one awesome and very well attended Drum Circle with Yahya Kamate and Richard Reiter. As one drum master stated, “This was great, we didn't have to pull people out to play, folks just kept coming and participating."  Yes! The roar of the drums was intoxicating. We have to do it again.  

 

Cafe Word Bookstore 

Cafe Word Bookstore reported a wonderful celebration with Nia and Steve and Dance Master Susan Pope.

 

Harmonic Convergence Band

Shout out the Harmonic Convergence band. We tried to go on with another Summer Saturday live music event featuring Harmonic Convergence at the Grid Iron Waffle Stage, but the rain won out. This event will be rescheduled.

 

Lynette Sheard Entertainment

Lynette Sheard Trio with Brandon McCune and Marshall McDonald. BLM Art Exhibition in Juneteenth Celebration at the West Orange Arts Council located in West Orange, NJ.

Lynette Sheard Trio with Brandon McCune and Marshall McDonald. BLM Art Exhibition in Juneteenth Celebration at the West Orange Arts Council located in West Orange, NJ.

 

Food, Brews & Jazz with Jacque Harmon Johnson Quartet 

Food Brews and Jazz with Chef Jesse Jones and Jacque Harmon Quartet, with Rich Acciavatti, Gary Mancinelli, Richard Pierson, Ben Frank and vocalist Jacque Harmon Johnson in a Juneteenth Celebration at the Montclair Brewery in Montclair, NJ.

Food Brews and Jazz with Chef Jesse Jones and Jacque Harmon Quartet, with Rich Acciavatti, Gary Mancinelli, Richard Pierson, Ben Frank and vocalist Jacque Harmon Johnson in a Juneteenth Celebration at the Montclair Brewery in Montclair, NJ.

Food for the Soul, Tasteful Brews & Swinging Jazz at the Montclair Brewery with Chef Jesse Live - POW!!  What better way to celebrate Junteenth than enjoying Chef Jesse's modern approach to southern cuisine and his delicious delectable cooking. While sampling these soulful delights, folks explored some fabulous Brews of the Black Owned Montclair Brewery and of course listened to the original American music art form - jazz from the great American SongBook performed by the Jacque Harmon Johnson Quartet. Food, Brews and Jazz. A great way to spend an evening.

 

ZooS Band

ZooS Band with BJ Hermann, Pegaso Cris, Peter McClard at the Eastman Street Summertime Street Closing in Cranford, NJ. Produced by the Downtown Cranford Organization.

ZooS Band with BJ Hermann, Pegaso Cris, Peter McClard at the Eastman Street Summertime Street Closing in Cranford, NJ. Produced by the Downtown Cranford Organization.

 

South Orange Juneteenth Celebration

We outlasted the rain with poetry, spoken word and, of course, live music — all Emceed by South Orange Trustee Bobby Brown. It was very nice to see our younger folks keeping the cause and flame alive for true freedom.

 

Tonia Ray All Stars

Tonia Ray All Stars w Nicole Inocent, Norman Stevenson, Kenny Robinson AT Juneteenth Celebration ON Floods Hill in the Township of South Orange Village, NJ.jpg

Tonia Ray All Stars with Nicole Inocent, Norman Stevenson, Kenny Robinson performed at the Juneteenth Celebration on Flood’s Hill in the Township of South Orange Village, NJ.  Listen to a taste: 

 

MPACK Band 

MPACK Band with Clarence Conover, Patricia Walton, Glenn Merrit, Brett Calder, Kev Nazt Moore and Larry Greenberg performed at the South Orange Juneteenth Celebration at Flood’s Hill in the Township of South Orange Village, NJ.

It was  great to see, hear and enjoy the night's live music performances under the musical direction of Clarence Conover.  It was just fabulous as folks were dancing, jumping, singing and the camaraderie amongst everyone was just fantastic.  

 

The Fireworks in Flood’s Hill

The fireworks were a very, very cool unexpected touch, and they played out over the music, which was truly spectacular. It actually moved some folks in very touching ways. 

 

About the Artists

You can learn more about the artists who performed here: Celebrate Juneteenth with Us and Live Music Events In and Around South Orange, NJ .

Since my mission is supporting and exposing the talents of these artists, we hope you take the time to check them out and support them when you can. 

The events were produced in conjunction with:

  • South Orange Village Center Alliance, South Orange NJ.

  • Gregory Burrus Productions

  • Township of South Orange Village, South Orange NJ.

  • West Orange Arts Council, West Orange NJ

  • Montclair Brewery, Montclair NJ

  • Downtown Cranford, Cranford NJ

 

Gregory Burrus Productions

Gregory Burrus Productions was extremely happy to capture the day and also provide live music at various towns and venues around North Jersey. 

Gregory Burrus is a Photojournalist, Live Music Ambassador, Arts and Entertainment Writer, Blogger, Business Reviewer, and Community Events Reporter. He is a supporter of local businesses and community events, with a passion for live music. Gregory reviews and writes about local live music programs while booking, promoting and curating many regional live music events around the greater New York/New Jersey area. Having fun, living life, while helping others. https://gregoryburrusproductions.com

Words with P.R. (Edition 4)

By Patricia Rogers | Posted Thursday, June 24, 2021

Patricia Rogers Queen PR in Birdie Bee crop top.jpg

My First Time in a Bikini and My Struggle with Body Image Acceptance

Real talk time.

When I was really young, I wanted to be a model.

But I was too short, too black, and too fat.

I have always felt self-conscious about the way I look. All of my “flaws” stuck out to me growing up: my gap-toothed smile, acne that has followed me into adulthood, and my outie belly button.

My face and body were not perfect and it would weigh on me. I have four sisters and our looks were always compared. I’m a twin, but most of my sisters have the same features from our mom’s side, and me — from my Dad’s side. We are all beautiful inside and out but these things can really get into your head and cause insecurities.

So at a very young age, I gave up my dream of being a model but always loved style and fashion. I had an unhealthy obsession with the Victoria Secret Angels, and fashion editorials in magazines. I resigned to being an aspiring stylist, as I thought with my look that is the closest I could get to being in the fashion industry.

I thank God that I grew up during the time that I did though. Body image and inclusivity have gotten better since my day, but I couldn’t imagine growing up with Instagram. As much as I use social media, just like everyone there are times where it legit scares me.

The unattainable body images of "influencers" and the idea of perpetuating this wealthy perfect life can be so intimidating. And the scary part is, we are all trying to emulate an image that is simply not real. Even the Kardashians use apps to edit their photos. I can’t even imagine young people living through these expectations, on top of cyberbullying.

However, it was through social media that I gained my own self-confidence and acceptance. Thanks to the support of my online community (mostly my podcast Those Wrestling Girls, and other wrestling fans), friends, and family, I have just been putting myself out there.

During the pandemic, I bought a ring light, and since I was home more and had time I would just take photos of myself in my favorite wrestling t-shirts. The feedback was unbelievably positive.

Patricia Rogers Queen PR in red swimsuit .jpg

So for the very first time, my twin sister Letty encouraged me to buy a bikini. In all 31 years of my life, I have never once felt comfortable wearing one. But we were going to Vegas and if there is any place to just fucking go for it, it’s Vegas. And once again the feedback was incredible. I almost cried because this was a moment where I came to accept my body in ways I never have.

I don’t have flawless skin, a flat tummy, or an hourglass figure, and THAT IS OKAY. I can imagine this being refreshing as everyone on Instagram tends to look like clones of each other.

My journey into self-acceptance actually helped me get my most recent brand ambassador gig with Birdiebee, founded by the Bella Twins. These two wrestlers and businesswomen have inspired me to feel comfortable in my own skin and to own my imperfections.

My honesty about not having the perfect body but still OWNING IT is the story of the brand and something I will always connect to. I am grateful that there are no “real models” on their website, including me!

As I move more into the role of an “influencer” as a podcast host, and with brand partnerships with two clothing brands, the notion that I will now have to put myself out there on social media for “work” is daunting.

Will that insecure little girl come back as my followers grow and lead me into a dark place? Only time will tell, but for now, I will continue to utilize social media features: mute, block, and comment disabling.

Support my new partnership with Birdiebee, by buying really cool tees, cropped sweatshirts, activewear, and more with inspiring messages. You can use my affiliate link here, and follow me on Instagram for special coupon codes like QUEENPR15!