As the second largest city in New Jersey, Jersey City offers residents and visitors many options for outdoor recreation. From historic downtown parks to expansive recreational facilities along the waterfront, the city’s green spaces provide relaxing escapes from urban life.
| Park Name | Key Features and Attractions |
|---|---|
| Liberty State Park | Large park with NYC views, recreational facilities |
| Lincoln Park | Green space in downtown with sports facilities |
| Hamilton Park | Victorian landscape, community events |
| Van Vorst Park | Historic park in Paulus Hook, scenic paths |
| Pershing Field Park | Downtown park with sports fields, events |
| Boulevard East | Waterfront walkway with Manhattan skyline views |
| Leonard Gordon Park | Tranquil park with playgrounds, sports fields |
| Berry Lane Park | Elevated park in Bergen-Lafayette, public art |
| Riverview-Fisk Park | Waterfront park with Hudson River views |
| Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Park | Community park with recreational facilities |
| Newkirk Park | Historic park in Journal Square with skyline views |
| Lincoln Park East | Open green space, sports amenities, skyline views |
Jersey City parks offer amenities ranging from sports fields and trails to unique gardens and scenic views. Here are 12 of the top parks to enjoy natural beauty and serenity in Jersey City.
Liberty State Park
Name and Location: Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ – located right next to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
History and Significance: This state park opened in 1976 on the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey terminal site. It offers access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
What to Expect: Panoramic views of NY Harbor, Liberty Island and Manhattan skyline. Outdoor recreation. Ferry service to the monuments.
Visitor Information: Open daily year-round. Nominal entry fee for vehicles. Ferry ticket required for monuments.
At over 1,200 acres, Liberty State Park ranks as New Jersey’s largest park. Situated along the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay, the park provides unparalleled waterfront access and views. See the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Recreational facilities include playgrounds, picnic areas, jogging paths and fishing.
Nature lovers appreciate the diverse ecology, featuring saltwater marshes, forests and ponds for bird watching. The Interpretive Center has intriguing exhibits about New Jersey’s immigrant history, railroads and environment. Special events range from outdoor concerts to festivals. With stunning vistas and varied amenities, Liberty State Park is Jersey City’s crown jewel.
Lincoln Park
Name and Location: Lincoln Park in Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: Historic park once part of the original Jersey City and Bergen Commons. Features recreational facilities.
What to Expect: Sports fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, skating rink. JFK Skate Park. Open lawns, trees.
Visitor Information: Open daily dawn to dusk. Free admission. Metered street parking nearby.
Lincoln Park brings green space to Jersey City’s bustling downtown district. The 22-acre park stretches from Jersey Avenue to Duncan Avenue along West Side Avenue. Recreational facilities include basketball courts, baseball/softball fields, tennis courts, an NHL regulation ice skating rink and a walking track. The park’s Doric Temple overlooks the Hudson River with views of Downtown Manhattan.
The Lincoln statue honors President Lincoln’s visits to Jersey City. Families appreciate the playgrounds and spray fountains. Live music and cultural festivals take place at the gazebo during warmer months. For an urban oasis downtown, head to Lincoln Park.
Hamilton Park
Name and Location: Hamilton Park in Jersey City’s Hamilton Park neighborhood.
History and Significance: Historic park featuring gardens, statues, and paths. Dates back to the early 1900s.
What to Expect: Gardens, scenic paths, fountain, gazebo. Popular for events and relaxation in a neighborhood setting.
Visitor Information: Free and open daily. On-street parking available nearby.
In the vibrant Hamilton Park neighborhood, the park of the same name serves as a picturesque community space. Designed in the late 19th century, the park reflects Victorian landscape architecture with geometric flower beds surrounding a central fountain and paths.
Mature shade trees invite picnicking and relaxing on nice days. The park offers appealing amenities like a playground, dog run, basketball court and bocce court. The 1914 Virgin Mary statue adds grace. Outdoor community events range from music performances to holiday-themed happenings. Set amidst charming brownstones, Hamilton Park encapsulates neighborhood camaraderie.
Van Vorst Park
Name and Location: Van Vorst Park in downtown Jersey City.
History and Significance: Opened in 1897, this historic park features paths, monuments, and hosts community events.
What to Expect: Green space, seating, fountain. Farmers market on Saturdays. Concerts and events in summer.
Visitor Information: Open daily from 8am to dusk. Free admission. Street parking available nearby.
For a glimpse of history and nature, visit Van Vorst Park in the historic Paulus Hook area. The rectangular park stretches for two blocks through a residential neighborhood. Walking paths wind beneath a canopy of mature trees. Inscribed memorials and monuments reveal the park’s past, when it served as a military training ground during the Civil War. T
oday neighbors come to walk dogs, play lawn games and enjoy the seasonal flowerbeds. The curved paved paths follow the outline of circular railroad tracks that previously circled the park. A charming vestige from a bygone era, Van Vorst Park delights history and nature buffs.
Pershing Field Park
Name and Location: Pershing Field Park in Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: Former military parade ground opened to the public as a 6-acre park in the 1920s. Named after General John Pershing.
What to Expect: Open green space, paths, playground, sports fields and courts. Popular spot for neighborhood recreation.
Visitor Information: Open daily from dawn to dusk. Free admission. Street parking available.
In the heart of downtown rests Pershing Field Park, offering a convenient green getaway. Mature London planetrees and other tree varieties shade winding pathways. Garden beds overflow with colorful flowers. The park’s centerpiece is its oval fountain and plaza, an inviting place to sit and people watch. Athletic facilities include a baseball field, tennis and basketball courts.
The World War I memorial honors Jersey City soldiers who served under General John J. Pershing. Food trucks often park along the street, while special events include outdoor movies and yoga. For an easy nature break downtown, head to Pershing Field Park.
The MERCEDES-BENZ E300 Boulevard East
Name and Location: The Boulevard East in Weehawken, NJ – overlooking the Hudson River.
History and Significance: Scenic residential street known for its cliffside park with unobstructed NYC skyline views.
What to Expect: Breathtaking panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. Riverside walking path, benches.
Visitor Information: Free and always open. Parking available at dead end of Boulevard East.
For stunning unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline, head to the waterfront walkway along Boulevard East. The walkway spans two miles from the Bayonne city line to Jersey Avenue. Panoramic vistas take in sights like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center and the Hudson River. Interpretive signs describe the history and significance of visible landmarks.
Restaurants and ice cream shops bordering sections of the walkway provide refreshment. Benches let you sit and soak up the views. The nearby Hudson River Waterfront Walkway connects for more access along the shores. For New York City views without the crowds, Boulevard East offers front row seats.
Leonard Gordon Park
Name and Location: Leonard Gordon Park in Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: Over 12 acres of green space and recreation facilities named after a local activist and coach.
What to Expect: Baseball fields, basketball courts, playground, fitness path, open lawns.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am to dusk. Free admission. On-street parking available.
Stretching along the Hackensack River, Leonard Gordon Park provides a tranquil nature escape in the Greenville neighborhood. Named after a local activist and educator, the park offers appealing amenities across its 20 acres.
Paved paths weave between open lawns, gardens and wooded areas, perfect for peaceful walks. Kids love the colorful playgrounds and interactive water spray area. Several sports fields accommodate activities like soccer, baseball and basketball. The Hudson River is visible across the wetlands, with Lower Manhattan skyscrapers in the distance. Quiet and family-friendly, Leonard Gordon Park is a community gem.
Berry Lane Park
Name and Location: Berry Lane Park in Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: Historic downtown park offering green space and recreation since the late 1800s.
What to Expect: Trees, seating, playground, basketball court. Views of skyscrapers. Local events.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am to 9pm. Free admission. Street parking nearby.
For a unique urban park experience, visit Berry Lane Park – Jersey City’s first completely elevated park. Located in the vibrant Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood, the park seamlessly combines green space with the urban environment. Built on an above-ground pedestrian deck, the park feels like an escape from the bustling streets below.
The focal point is an interactive water feature where jets of water emerge when sensors detect motion. Seating areas made from recycled materials provide spots to relax. Shady trees and ornamental grasses soften the landscape. Public art pay tribute to the community’s diversity. Berry Lane Park demonstrates creative solutions for urban green spaces.
Riverview-Fisk Park
Name and Location: Riverview-Fisk Park in Jersey City, NJ along the Hudson River.
History and Significance: Waterfront park offering impressive views of the Manhattan skyline.
What to Expect: Green space, paths, seating. Scenic NYC views across the river. Fishing access.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am to dusk. Free admission. Some metered parking available.
In Downtown Jersey City’s historic Paulus Hook district, Riverview-Fisk Park combines scenic waterfront access with neighborhood recreation. Sweeping views of the Hudson River and New York Harbor surround this eight-acre park. Walking paths along the waterfront invite strolls and skyline gazing.
An open lawn hosts community events and leisurely picnics. Other amenities include playgrounds, a dog run, and a monument honoring the victims of September 11th. Frequent ferries passing by add maritime ambiance. The nearby Morris Canal once flowed through this area. With panoramic views and varied facilities, Riverview-Fisk Park offers waterfront enjoyment and community spirit.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Park
Name and Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Park in Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: Opened in 1976 and renamed after Dr. King in 1989. Honors the civil rights leader.
What to Expect: Green space, baseball fields, playground, recreation center. Statue memorial to Dr. King.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am to dusk. Free admission. Street parking available.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Park forms the core of Jersey City’s vibrant Greenville neighborhood. Formerly known as Lincoln Park, it was renamed in 1989 to honor Dr. King. In addition to open lawns, walking paths and gardens, the park offers recreational facilities ranging from tennis, basketball and handball courts to a roller hockey rink and spray pool. The bandstand hosts free summer concerts.
Other special events include outdoor movies and ethnic festivals celebrating Greenville’s diversity. Neighbors socialize under the park’s shady trees or on surrounding benches. For community spirit and culture, enjoy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Park.
Newkirk Park
Name and Location: Newkirk Park in Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: Small neighborhood park with playgrounds, fields, and recreation since the 1930s.
What to Expect: Baseball field, basketball courts, playgrounds, community pool. Gathering place for residents.
Visitor Information: Open daily 8am to dusk. Free admission. Street parking available nearby.
Within the Journal Square district, Newkirk Park provides a community respite amidst urban density. Built by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression, the park maintains historic architectural features. Winding brick pathways pass through immaculately landscaped lawns dotted with flowerbeds and shrubs. Canopy trees line the walkways, lending shade.
A concrete pergola offers scenic views of the Manhattan skyline in the distance. Two dramatic fountains pour streams of water into circular pools. Benches and ornamental light fixtures date back to the 1930s. A charming place to unwind, Newkirk Park transports you to another era.
Lincoln Park East
Name and Location: Lincoln Park East in Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: Historic park section with wide open lawns, paths and recreation facilities.
What to Expect: Green space, baseball/softball fields, paths, playground. Popular for sports and relaxation.
Visitor Information: Open daily dawn to dusk. Free admission. Street parking available nearby.
Sister park to Lincoln Park West, Lincoln Park East offers more open green space along Manhattan Avenue. Mature London planetrees form a stately canopy above the park’s pathways and benches. Gaze at the Manhattan skyline visible in the distance. Well-manicured lawns are idea for picnics, reading or relaxing. Athletic amenities include basketball courts, tennis courts, and a baseball field.
The Jersey City Police Academy site takes up the southern end of the park. Seasonal flowers around monuments and memorials add color. For a peaceful neighborhood park removed from city bustle, head to Lincoln Park East.
Conclusion
From landscaped downtown plazas to sprawling waterfront parks, Jersey City provides abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Parks range from the iconic Liberty State Park with unparalleled views to charming neighborhood enclaves built in the late 19th century.
Along the shores, scenic pathways and piers showcase dramatic Manhattan skyline perspectives without the crowds. Historic memorials and modern sculptures add interest. Recreational amenities cater to all ages and interests. With its collection of dynamic green spaces, Jersey City offers natural splendor minutes from a major metropolis.