Romance on a Shoestring?

Most of us know that Memorial Day signifies the unofficial start of summer. We also know it's time to for your relationship/marriage to be spent outdoors — the beach, amusement park, outdoor cafés, you name it.

The problem is, times are tough.  The economy is slowly recovering and I find that more and more people are out of work, or like me, trying your talents into a fledgling business venture. With our locale being on the East Coast and Essex

County to be specific, it's so easy to be seduced into going into New York City for dinner and a show, or down to the Jersey Shore. The catch-22? If I am strapped for cash do I not do anything because it won't measure up, or do I find a way to maintain a connection? Your spouse is going to want you to do the latter — within the family budget.

Coach Keith has a solution. Romance on a shoestring!  There are some great places in Essex County where you can still connect with your spouse, but within a budget of $50 or less. There are some specific items that you will need for most excursions.

• A blanket
• A picnic basket
• Glasses
• Utensils

The first featured excursion is Verona Park, in Verona, New Jersey.  This is a great place if you want a romantic setting, on a budget. Being right in the middle of West Orange and Montclair, Verona Park is easily accessible within a 10 minute drive. What makes this park romantic is that the 1.2 mile walking path is around a lake that provides plenty of opportunity to walk and connect with your spouse, all the while getting a little exercise.

As I was doing a little research for this story and walking my cocker spaniel, I met Dominic Grecki and Elizabeth Cantile. They were first-time guests of the park.  They loved the fact that it was a great place to get away from all the hustle and bustle of New York City. With only one day in their schedule to really connect, time was considered a premium and Verona Park gave them the luxury for a romantic afternoon.

The same thing went for Liz Denny and Jared Trout of Bloomfield, New Jersey. When asked what was the one word you would use to describe Verona Park, they both said, "Serenity." One drawback I found is that if it rains the night before, you have to be selective in finding a spot to place your blanket since the grass can get quite damp.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can rent a paddle boat for an hour at a cost of $15. That will make for some comedic moments trying to navigate the boat around the lake without hitting any geese.

So here is a breakdown of the cost for a nice romantic adventure at Verona Park.

• Sandwiches at your favorite Shop         $12
• Paddle Boat Rental                                      $10
• Nice Bottle of Wine                                      $12
• Total                                                                   $34

Verona Park is a great place to create a little romance, on a shoestring budget. 

And remember it's not about how much you spend; it's about the ambience you bring to the day.