This past week, Essex County has seen a heat wave, the early signs of 4th of July festivities, and plenty of headlines. It’s been another busy week in Essex County, and we’ve got all the Montclair news to keep you up to date. Among the highlights: a bear was spotted on Forest Avenue in Verona; Adam Sandler was seen playing basketball in Montclair; and David’s Cookies opened a new manufacturing building in Cedar Grove. Read on for all the news in Montclair and the surrounding Essex County towns for the week ending June 29th, 2025.
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Among the Headlines (read on for full stories):
- Bear Spotted on Forest Avenue in Verona
- Adam Sandler Spotted Playing Basketball in Montclair
- AI-Driven Art Installation Now on View at Yogi Berra Museum + Learning Center
- Developer Looking to Build a Warehouse in Nutley Withdraws Application
- Newark Ties Its Record for Highest Temperature, Last Set in 1943
- Renovations Stop at Montclair Senior Center
- Montclair Officials Show Their Support for Graz, Austria, After School Shooting
- David’s Cookies Opens New Manufacturing Building in Cedar Grove
- Owner of Electronics Store in Orange Charged for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Apple Products
- Montclair 4th of July Parade + Festival to Return for 2025
Bear Spotted on Forest Avenue in Verona
Verona and West Orange officials have warned residents of bear sightings and provided tips on what to do if they encounter one. According to Facebook posts shared by both towns, a black bear was spotted in the Forest Avenue area of Verona on June 19th, 2025.
Adam Sandler Spotted Playing Basketball in Montclair
On June 22nd, Adam Sandler was spotted playing basketball at Rand Park, located at 155 North Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. According to NorthJersey.com, a video of the actor shooting hoops was posted to TikTok by user “saevista” and reached almost one million views.
AI-Driven Art Installation Now on View at Yogi Berra Museum
+ Learning Center
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“The Great American Pastime: Berra and the Bronx Legends” is an AI-driven art installation now on view at the Yogi Berra Museum + Learning Center, located within Montclair State University at 1 Normal Avenue. This exhibition features an immersive audio experience that simulates a real baseball radio broadcast, drawing on historical game data to generate eight different games that highlight legendary New York Yankees teams, according to Montclair Local.
Developer Looking to Build a Warehouse in Nutley Withdraws Application
Prism Capital Partners, the developer that applied to build a warehouse at 275 Kingsland Street in Nutley in 2020, has withdrawn its proposal. This follows a five-year-long dispute between the town and the developer, as the Nutley Board of Commissioners previously argued that the proposal violated a zoning ordinance prohibiting the construction of truck terminals. In 2021, Prism Capital Partners filed a lawsuit against the town, which it won earlier this year. But after town-wide pushback, including a petition that garnered over 2,500 signatures from local residents, Eugene Diaz, the founder of Prism Capital, announced at the June 17th Nutley Board of Commissioners meeting that he would be withdrawing the application, a move he said he was “[looking] forward to.”
Newark Ties Its Record for Highest Temperature, Last Set in 1943
It was another hot and humid day where records fell in a lot of places. Five of our six climate sites posted new daily high temperature records. Also, two climate sites tied their warmest June temperature ever recorded. #nycwx #nywx #njwx #ctwx #hvwx #liwx pic.twitter.com/bw94pZjOHS
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) June 25, 2025
The week of June 22nd saw a statewide heatwave across New Jersey. In Newark, temperatures reached as high as 100 degrees on Wednesday, June 25th, just days after city officials activated the year’s first “Code Red” alert. On this day, a Newark climate site tied its record for the all-time warmest June temperature in Brick City, which was last set in 1943, according to the US National Weather Service of NY (NWS).
Renovations Stop at Montclair Senior Center
Construction of a 4,100-square-foot senior center in the Mills Building at 60 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, has stalled. Renovations began in fall 2024, with the plan to bring five offices, a conference room, a lobby reception area, two gender-neutral bathrooms, and a common conference room to the property. According to Montclair Local, the real estate investment company BDP Holdings LLC encountered issues when attempting to renovate a set of internal stairs and a hallway. The company is working on solutions and hopes construction will resume in the coming months.
Montclair Officials Show Their Support for Graz, Austria,
After School Shooting
Montclair officials have expressed their support following a school shooting that happened in Graz, Austria, in early June, claiming the lives of 11 people, including a teacher who had participated in a cultural exchange program with Montclair State University. Montclair and Graz have shared a 75-year relationship that began shortly after World War II, marked by a student exchange program between the two universities. Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen, who was part of a Montclair delegation that visited Graz, said in a statement to Montclair Local: “My heart is with the families and friends of all whose lives have been lost…School and mass shootings in the U.S. have become so unacceptably endemic, but are not common in Austria, and certainly not in Graz.”
David’s Cookies Opens New Manufacturing Building in Cedar Grove
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The nationwide cookie company David’s Cookies has expanded its footprint in Cedar Grove with a new 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility across the street from its headquarters at 11 Cliffside Drive. According to NJBIZ, the new space features 6,000 pallet slots, a research + development test kitchen, and corporate offices.
Owner of Electronics Store in Orange Charged for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Apple Products
Mahmoud Salim from Woodland Park was arrested on June 5th, 2025, and charged with third-degree counterfeiting for allegedly selling over 100 counterfeit Apple products at his Orange electronics store. According to NJ.com, Super Star at 309 Main Street allegedly sold fake AirPods, iPhones, and phone accessories.
Montclair 4th of July Parade + Festival to Return for 2025
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Montclair’s annual 4th of July parade and festival, featuring music, marching bands, decorative floats, food trucks, vendors, and more, kicks off at 11AM with a parade. The parade will follow a 1.6-mile route beginning on Bloomfield Avenue, traveling north along Watchung Avenue and Valley Road, and ending at Edgemont Park. The festival portion of the event begins at 1PM with a community picnic. See here for more.
Residents Invited to Share Immigration Stories with
Montclair Public Library
The Montclair Public Library is currently seeking stories documenting the immigrant experience in Montclair to “expand [its] local history collection to reflect the diversity within our community,” as per its website. As part of the “Making History Together: Sharing the Immigrant Experience in Montclair” program, residents are invited to share their family’s stories with the library, either by completing a form or submitting them on paper. See more on how to submit here.
Newark Gang Member Who Ordered Others to Kill Sentenced
to 28 Years in Prison
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Honors Verona Police Officers with Award
Verona police officers Joseph Clark, Shane Daly, and Brendan Heller were recently honored with a Recognition of Excellence Award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), an organization with a mission to “to end drunk and drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking and other drug use,” as per its website. “Their dedication to removing impaired drivers from the road helps keep our community safe,” the Verona Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Roseland Police Officer Hospitalized + Undergoes Surgery After Car Crash
A Roseland police officer was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident that occurred along Livingston Avenue and Becker Farm Road on June 20th, 2025. The officer was hospitalized at UMDNJ and underwent surgery later that night. “Although the officer’s condition is improving, it is still serious,” Roseland Mayor James Spango shared via social media.
Essex County Foundation Grants Five Nonprofits $25,000 Each
The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey (JWF-NJ) has granted five local nonprofits $25,000 each to “support urgent needs affecting women and girls in Essex and surrounding counties,” the organization shared with The Montclair Girl. Awardees include CASA for Children of Essex County, Essex County Family Justice Center, Jewish Vocational Service of Metrowest, University Hospital Foundation, and Volunteer Lawyers for Justice.
Montclair + Essex County Summer Bucket List: 50 Must-Try
Activities for 2025
The Montclair Girl has created a free and downloadable summer bucket list of activities featuring 50 local things to do, including outdoor adventures, foodie spots, must-attend festivals, and more. Readers can expect to find ideas like walking the South Mountain Reservation Fairy Trail, paddleboarding at Verona Park, and more. Download our guide to a local Montclair + Essex County summer here.
Montclair Residents Shop Historic DeCamp Bus Lines Artifacts at Liquidation Sale
After 155 years in operation, the historic Montclair-based DeCamp Bus Lines shut down in 2023. On June 27th and 28th, locals visited the company’s headquarters and bus depot at 101 Greenwood Avenue to shop for memorabilia. According to Montclair Local, artifacts for sale included the original DeCamp Bus Lines bus route service signs, City of New York sightseeing bus license plates, DeCamp Bus Lines hanging signs, and more.
Montclair Fund for Women Awards $71,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits
In line with its mission to invest in programs that promote the educational success of women + girls of color in the Essex County area, the Montclair Fund for Women has awarded $71,000 in grants to various women-positive nonprofit organizations. As per Montclair Local, these organizations include: Connections at Home, Family Promise of Essex County, IMANI, Jazz House Kids, Mindful Awareness Academy, Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence, Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation, Succeed2gether, The Side Door at Union Congregational Church, We’ve Got Friends, and YWCA Eastern Union County.
A Guide to the Essex County Park System
Essex County is rich with opportunities for outdoor activity, with an entire park system comprising over 6,000 acres of open space that spans everything from neighborhood parks to undeveloped reservations. Dating back nearly 130 years, the Essex County Park System is one of the most historical aspects of the county, providing beautiful parks and facilities for community members to play, explore, and engage with nature. Read on for a breakdown of the Essex County Park System in Northern New Jersey.
History
In 1895, the first county park system in the US was established here in our home of Essex County. Governor Werts of New Jersey signed the paperwork to create the Essex County Park Commission and then snagged 60 acres from the City of Newark to make Branch Brook Park the first county park in the nation.
When the Commission got things rolling, the group hired the experts at Bogart and Barrett to start planning the parks, but a few years later, the Olmsted Brothers took over and made their mark. Known for their top-notch work, they designed all the parks and reservations of the Essex County System.
Read More: 10 Parks That Allow Grilling in Northern New Jersey
The Olmsted parks of Essex County are meticulously designed and constructed. Think excavated lakes, carefully arranged mounds, and even imported trees and plants. It’s like these parks are nature’s art exhibit. They’ve got winding roads, natural waterways, open fields, and scenic overlooks. Plus, sunken roadways keep traffic out of sight, and the lush border mounds make it seem like nature goes on forever. There is even a parkway system that links up all these green spaces.
Despite facing social and fiscal challenges over the years, a voter referendum in 1998 led to the establishment of an Open Space Trust Fund exclusively for parks. With additional grant funding and capital investments, the park system has seen over $100 million in improvements since 1995.
Today, the mature landscape brings the grand Olmsted designs to life, making Frederick Law Olmsted and his sons celebrated icons. Public interest in history and historic preservation has never been higher, and Essex County takes great pride in recognizing and promoting the historic significance of its parks.
The Parks
With 24 parks and five reservations in the system, there's something for everyone. Verona Park is one of our favorites in the area, which spans 54 acres with a lake running through it. It's a welcoming spot for family fun with weeping willow trees, winding paths, and lots to do and explore. Within the park, visitors can find a 13-acre lake for boating and fishing, a boathouse that’s open in the summer with a snack bar and boat rentals, a picturesque ornamental bridge, tennis courts, playgrounds, bocce courts, and a gazebo that houses concerts in the park’s center.
Another popular gem is Brookdale Park, which spans Montclair and Bloomfield across 121 acres. This park has a variety of activities, from strolls along the prettiest of trails to engaging in sports on the lush lawns and fields. Visitors can also enjoy the archery range, playground, stadium with a grandstand, and dog park. Additionally, the park is home to the Essex County Rose Garden, which has been blooming since 1959 and features a stunning array of over 100 rose species.
At 360 acres, Branch Brook Park is the largest park in the Essex County Parks System. The park, whose borders move in and out to form an L shape, is approximately a quarter-mile wide and four miles long. It’s best known for its cherry blossom trees, as it boasts the largest collection in the US, with a festival that takes place in the spring.
Other small parks scatter the county, such as Anderson Park in Upper Montclair, which features a half-mile walking path loop and a center meadow often used for picnicking, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, and other activities. Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell and Essex Fells is another popular spot with tennis courts, a playground, a lake, walking paths, picnic tables, and a baseball field.
For adventurers, Eagle Rock Reservation is located between West Orange, Montclair, and Verona and consists of hiking trails and footpaths that crisscross the woodland. Several routes take hikers to the famous 9/11 memorial and lookout point across from the NYC skyline.
There’s also South Mountain Reservation, the largest of the Park System’s reservations, which is located in central portions of Maplewood, Millburn, and West Orange. Both reservations contain segments of the Lenape Trail, a unique urban/suburban trail connecting 18 parks and 11 municipalities in Essex County.
The Essex County Park System is constantly growing and improving. In the last few years, they’ve added new local treasures like Cedar Grove Park, Riverfront Park, Kip's Castle Park, and Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
Activities + Events
The Department also runs Turtle Back Zoo, Richard J. Codey Arena at South Mountain Recreation Complex, the Essex County Environmental Center, and three golf courses. The Division of Cultural Affairs has programs for seniors, children, and families. The parks host fun events throughout the year, like the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Summer Concert Series, in collaboration with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
See More: A Guide to Parks with Splash Pads in Hoboken + Jersey City
The famous Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park attracts tens of thousands annually to see over 5,000 trees in full bloom — arguably better than the collection in Washington, DC. The Free Summer Concerts series features everything from jazz to classical music — something for every music lover. Plus, TripAdvisor.com named Turtle Back Zoo the best in New Jersey, making it a must-visit. And if that's not enough, Olympic figure skaters train at the ice arena, thrill seekers scale a Treetop Adventure Course, and art lovers gather at Riker Hill Art Park.
To stay updated on all the happenings at the parks, check out the Essex County Park's Instagram page.
