At the corner of Northfield Avenue and Cherry Lane in West Orange, the Essex County South Mountain Reservation Complex is open with a large array of COVID-safe activities. Alongside a 2,000-acre natural reserve complete with hiking paths, the complex has paddle boats, minigolf, walking paths, a playground, a picnic pavilion and other open areas for family gatherings. Other than mandating facial coverings and social distancing, the park facilitates safety on its own with various hand sanitizing stations and 6-feet distancing markers.
The Clipper Picnic Pavilion, located near the entrance to the paddle boat launch, is a spacious refuge from the hot sun where families can enjoy meals together. With a scenic glimpse of the waterfront and fishing reservoir, here you can watch swan boats and paddle boats drift around the waters.
After renting a two-person or four-person paddle boat at the Boats Hut, boaters can safely line up on distance markers before the Paddle Boat Launch. Children 12 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult of 18 years or older. Paddle boats are open for rent daily from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekends and noon to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays. Boaters are still responsible for social distancing and facial coverings, and it is necessary that boaters ride together in family groups.
Flanking the bottom tip of the reservoir is the Essex County Safari MiniGolf Course. This award-winning 19-hole course is inspired by Africa with its sandy terrain, water falls, plastic trees, lifesize animals and other child-friendly displays. Due to social distancing, wait times for each hole have increased, yet families can still explore the environment and improve their putting skills in the seemingly Saharan climate.
The newly created Regatta Playground is a vital stop for curious children and toddlers. Complete with rubber safety surfaces, boat-like play equipment, swing sets, slides, open areas and a view of the reservoir, the playground is a continuation of the minigolf’s desert oasis. Kids of every age can safely band together and explore the expansive Regatta Playground as if it were a boat yard.
Pedestrians can also run, walk or stroll around the park’s 1.7-mile walking path surrounding the reservoir with a view of the pristine lake. Whether it be to let off some steam or train for a race, the path enveloping the reservoir is perfect for any exercise. Running throughout the South Mountain Recreation Complex are pathways that open up to the minigolf, Regatta Playground and waterfront.
Josh Gindi is a graduate of Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston and is interning at The Jewish Link this summer.
