South End Surprises: Canterbury Park and Montclair Florist

They had me with a pink balloon.  OK, they really had me with their stunning assortment of impatiens and begonias, but when the gentlemen at Montclair Florist produced a pink helium balloon to quell my toddler’s brewing tantrum, I knew I'd found a great flower shop (and frankly, with their customer service, I’d likely buy anything else they deem fit to sell.)

The simply-named Montclair Florist is located at 314 Orange Road in the South End of town (go around the loop at the end of Elm Street.)  No newcomer to Montclair, this Florist has been here for going on four decades: “We’ll be in Montclair 39 years this January,” says the amiable owner, John H. Smith. 

The shop offers professionally designed flower arrangements, gifts and various plants and flowers.

Smith also notes that their years of experience allows them to tackle everything from large scale jobs such as supplying blooms for the U.S. Open at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield NJ, to simply assisting a home gardener like myself fill a flat of annuals (which go for a very reasonable $12.00).  

As the anti-tantrum balloon demonstrated, the staff at Montclair Florist is committed to customer service.  My purchase of striped petunias was neatly placed in my trunk, without any request on my part, and done with a smile.  Service like that is worth mentioning.

Since this is Montclair, the parking situation should be aknowledged.   In addition to several spots along Orange Road, there is ample two-hour metered parking in the back, with lovely planters lining the sidewalk, courtesy of -- naturally -- Montclair Florist.

So the next time you need a hostess gift, items for your garden, or are planning a party, check out Montclair Florist -- a true Montclair institution – local, before “local” was cool.

Montclair Florist is open 8am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday, and 8am to 12pm on Sunday.  They can be reached at 973-783-6365.

Speaking of great South End spots....

For many parents whose kids are not in camp all summer, or those who endure seemingly endless wait for the town pools to open at 1pm, morning park trips are high enjoyable, cheap and easy.  I recently “discovered” a perfect park to fit the bill.

Last month, I attended a MFEE Toast that was held in Canterbury Park, and I was not the only person who said, “where?” when I heard the location.  Canterbury is a tidy powerhouse of a park located in Montclair’s South End, at the corner of Orange Road and Canterbury Street.  The lucky residents of this area may hate me for drawing attention to their little haven, but it’s too good not to share.

The park consists of meticulously maintained grounds that include a playground, basketball court, pristine walking track, exercise area, tennis courts and scattered benches poised under shady mature trees. There is also an idyllic grassy “coasting hill,” that kids love sledding down in the winter and rolling down in warmer months. 

"I think the park is Montclair's best kept secret,” says Montclair resident Anne Mernin.  “It has great wide-open space for kids and I love the hill at the front of the park.  I plan to return at the first snowfall.  I also love how tucked away and private it feels, especially given it's size.” 

An added bonus for those who may have an older child but are also chasing around a toddler, you can practically have a 360-degree view of the surrounding area from the playground, should your older one want to meander around, ride a bike or shoot hoops.

The minor blemishes consist of some graffiti tagging on signs, but otherwise the park is picturesque. 

So if you are looking to switch up your park routine or just tired of dodging goose droppings in Edgemont or over-flowing garbage cans at Essex Park, come explore Canterbury.   Here are some basic park rules to bear in mind:

• Canterbury Park is closed to the public between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., except with a permit.
• A permit must be obtained for any organized activity (i.e. birthday parties.) You can contact the Montclair Township Parks and Shade Tree Division at 973-509-5702 to obtain a permit.
• Cooking, glass containers and alcohol are all prohibited in public parks.