Unique Rose Garden Is Getting An Upgrade In Montclair, Bloomfield

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Plans are in the works to spruce up a unique flower garden at Brookdale Park.

Essex County will be collaborating with the Brookdale Park Conservancy to refurbish the Rose Garden at the park, which is located in Montclair and Bloomfield.

Subscribe

Here's what is taking place at the garden, county officials said:

"The project includes creating two new flower beds, replacing the brick edges of the flower beds with permanent stone edges, replacing loose river rocks with new pavers, regrading and installing new landscaping, restoring carved signage, repairing the bulletin board/kiosk, repairing pathways and curbing where needed, installing new benches and trash receptacles, installing a 12-foot-tall metal obelisk on which a climbing rose bush could grow and relocating an existing water shut-off valve. In addition, a new shed for storing equipment will be constructed and an electrical connection will be established at the location to charge equipment."

French and Parrello from Wall was awarded a professional services contract for $296,000 to design the improvements. AB Contracting from Wharton was awarded a publicly bid contract for $471,500 to perform the construction work.

The project is being funded with a grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.

The work is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2027, county officials said.

"Along with our Cherry Blossom trees in Branch Brook Park and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair, the Brookdale Park Rose Garden is one the most beautiful, unique and recognizable features of our parks system," Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

"We are proud to be partnering with the Brookdale Park Conservancy to give the Rose Gardens some attention and return them to their original luster so future generations can enjoy them," he added.

Brookdale Park Conservancy president Don McLaughlin said the group is "thrilled" about the upcoming project.

"We've always believed the gardens were one of the jewels of Brookdale Park and this will help preserve the gardens for years to come," McLaughlin said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.