Maplewood combines the charm of village life with the convenience of living just half an hour from Midtown Manhattan, and is a thriving commuter neighbourhood.  It first became popular with New Yorkers in search of some clear mountain air in the 1860s, after the railroad arrived. Among the earliest to discover its appeal was Theodore Roosevelt, who spent summers at his uncle’s Maplewood estate.



Transportation
The Midtown Direct Line of NJ Transit takes commuters straight into New York Penn, Newark and Hoboken. A quick change onto the PATH Rapid Transit System transfers you to the heart of New York’s financial center

The NJ Transit Parking Lot by Maplewood Railroad Station on Maplewood Avenue at Baker Street has limited space, but residents can sign up for the popular jitney service which runs across town to and from the station. Register online or pick up a form from the Maplewood Municipal Building in Valley Street.  And how about this - a few years ago Maplewood Chamber of Commerce and NJ Transit set up a concierge service in the former smoking room of the station, which performs small tasks like ordering groceries, dropping off dry cleaning, returning videos to the hire store and even paying parking tickets!

By car, routes 24, 280, I-78, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway are all within 5-10 minutes away. Route 124, Springfield Avenue, runs though Maplewood. Newark Liberty Airport, a major continental and international gateway, is a 20 minute drive away.

Bus routes 25, 37, 70 and 107 pass between Maplewood and South Orange, Irvington, Newark, Newark Liberty Airport, Union City and New York (Port Authority Bus Terminal)

Other nearby mass transport options are the Ferry , the Lakeland Bus and the Community Coach which takes you straight to NYC or Atlantic City from nearby stops


Schools
Columbia School District, serving Maplewood and South Orange, is comprised of  six elementary schools - Clinton, Jefferson, Seth Boyden, and Tuscan - are in Maplewood and -Jefferson/Marshall, and South Mountain are in South Orange. There are two Middle Schools, South Orange and Maplewood Middle while the acclaimed Columbia High School serves both Maplewood and South Orange communities.

Columbia High School is known as one of the most academically progressive high schools in the state of New Jersey has been recognized nationally for its academic excellence with a Blue Ribbon award from the US Department of Education. Students can choose from a wide range of elective courses, including around 24 AP choices, and every year Columbia High School sends alumni to top universities like Harvard, Princeton, Stamford and Yale. The extracurricular activities ranging from future Business Leaders of America, a mock trial team, and a student newspaper and literary magazine to chess club, championship athletics and music and drama. Hip-hop singer/songwriter Lauryn Hill is a former student here, but Columbia High School’s greatest claim to fame must surely be as the birthplace of Ultimate Frisbee, invented by students in the school grounds in 1968.

Maplewood Middle School puts a strong emphasis on academic excellence and social responsibility as the foundation for all educational endeavours. This philosophy obviously pays off with around one third of 7th graders identified by the Johns Hopkins Talent Search invited to take the SAT’s, usually taken by high school juniors.

The South Orange-Maplewood Adult School founded in 1933 is the oldest adult school in NJ and open to everyone from age 14 to 114. The inspiring program stimulates the mind, body and senses with high-quality classes covering everything from art and childcare to business studies and computer technology.  Most classes are at Columbia High School or South Orange Middle School.
In the summer the school offers a highly praised children’s camp, the South Orange-Maplewood Community Summer Program.

Kinderenrichment is available to children entering the South Orange/ Maplewood School District’s kindergarten classes each fall.  The program matches the school trimester dates  and is intended to supplement the district’s half-day kindergarten.

Shopping

Maplewood enjoys one of the most appealing shopping districts in the area. Gas lamps dot the sidewalks and the actual structure of the village remains largely the same as it was back in the 1950s – but today it is home to an eclectic mix of sophisticated boutiques, galleries, vibrant cafes and of course plenty of shops where you can find the everyday necessities.  Freeman’s Fish Market near the movie theater brings in fresh produce daily from Fulton Fish Market. On Monday afternoons from July to October, a Farmers’ Market brings country fresh produce to Maplewood, in the parking lot on Springfield Avenue and Indiana Street.

Thanks to a sympathetic beautification initiative completed by the town in 2002 "The Village", as it is known, is very pedestrian friendly. New sidewalks were created; the area was landscaped with trees, shrubs and flower planters; benches were installed along with an information kiosk; and traffic calming measures were introduced.

Drivers are well looked after too, with free municipal parking lots near the shops on Maplewood Avenue across the road from the railroad station and Post Office, on Baker Street and on Highland Place. Maplewood Village Alliance,  which works to keep the centre a vibrant and attractive place, has a useful parking map. 

Recreation

Entertainment

Maplewood has always been a haven for artists - perhaps it is the quality of the light, its proximity to nature or its great community spirit. Asher Brown Durand, whose landscapes helped define the 19th century Hudson River School of painters, lived here and it is still a thriving center of the arts today, with several artists, writers and filmmakers calling it home.  South Orange-Maplewood Artist's Network organizes events such as the inspiring tour of the studios of 40 local artists (yes, there really are that many here) and co-ordinates a monthly arts calendar of shows and performances. The 1978 Arts Center aims to enrich community life through the visual arts and to provide a place where artists can exhibit and work. You can sign up for classes here, too.

You will find details of concerts, stage shows and the annual jazz weekend at Arts Maplewood Resident community theater company. The Strollers, one of the oldest theater groups in the country, is based at the Burgdorff Cultural Centre  on Durand Road and stages two plays and a musical each year as well as holding a children’s workshop. A family favorite for New Year’s Eve is First Night a spectacular array of delights including fireworks, music, dance, storytelling and drama.  The What Exit? Theatre Company specializes in contemporary theatre, and has classes for children too, and Jazzberries Center for Music & Art, also offers children’s art, theatre and of course, music classes. If you have a budding prima ballerina or a hip-hop prodigy at home you will be glad to hear that there are several dancing schools in Maplewood. Some of them offer adult classes too. We love Stories in Motion’s creative classes and children’s parties; the New Jersey Dance Center; and the Village Dance Academy. Music Together with Kelly runs a range of classes introducing babies and young children to the wonders of sounth and rhythm

Maplewood Glee Club  sponsored by the Recreation Department, has been in fine voice since 1946, meets weekly for rehearsal and holds regular concerts.Sitting in the centre of the village, near the railroad station, Maplewood Movie Theater has six screens showing the latest releases.

The Great Outdoors

As the village’s name suggests, Maplewood  is characterized by its leafy streets and green open spaces, making it a perfect place to relax away from hustle and bustle of the city.
 
For real wide open spaces, the vantage points atop South Mountain Reservation afford a breathtaking panorama of the Manhattan skyline to the east. During the Revolutionary War George Washington viewed the movement of British troops in the Newark valley from the spot now known as Washington Rock. Today joggers, hikers, cyclists and nature lovers are drawn to the paths that meander through the 2048 acres of native woodland, preserved in a wild state with creeks, ponds and a 25 ft waterfall. The whole area is a haven for deer, chipmunks, squirrels and bird life, and some of my clients have even been wild mushroom picking there. There is also a great Dog Park complete with canine obstacle course and drinking fountains! The reservation is so large it stretches through parts of Maplewood, Millburn, West Orange and the South Orange borders. You can park at the top of South Mountain Reservation, along South Orange Avenue, or off Crest Drive. A map of South Mountain Reservation can be purchased for $4 at the Maplewood, Millburn and South Orange libraries

Memorial Park, on Valley Street, next to Maplewood Country Club has two playgrounds, multi-purpose fields, tennis courts and is a great place for a summer picnic. In midwinter part of it is flooded with water to create an ice rink.  Events such as concerts are often held at Maplecrest Park, the central park on Springfield Avenue where the amenities include baseball/softball fields, a playground, and tennis courts. Both Borden Park on Orchard Road and Orchard Park off Ridgewood Avenue have tennis courts along with fields and a playground each. DeHart Park boasts a street hockey rink as well as fields, tennis court and a playground, and at Walter Park on the corner of Oakland & Valley Street there is a bocci court, as well as two platform tennis courts and three regular tennis courts.

The Olympic sized Community Pool on Boyden Avenue is the place to be during the summer. Residents can register online or pick up a form from the Civic House.

The excellent range of year-round Recreation Programs offered by Maplewood Township’s Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs includes youth sports and adult programs, senior services and special needs services, some of them held at Civic House and the DeHart Community Center on Burnett Avenue.

If gardening is your passion, you must visit Durand-Hedden House and Garden on Ridgewood Road where the award-winning herb garden (maintained by the Maplewood Garden Club) boasts one of the largest herb collections in the northeast. The early 18th century farmhouse has been lovingly restored to show its life from 1790 to 1930. Open houses are held each month with tours, children’s activities and country store.

Sporting Life
Maplewood Tennis and Golf program in Memorial Park includes a flourishing Pee Wee tennis program for kid from age three up and courses for older children either individually or in groups. Fantastic week-long golf camps for 6-12 year olds run throughout July and August.

The attractive 18-hole golf course at Maplewood Country Club is a beautiful place to unwind and reflect, perhaps, how one former resident, William Lowell, shaped the game: He invented the wooden golf tee back in the 1920s. Whether you are looking to develop your game, unwind from the stresses of the working week, entertain clients, or relax in the company of fellow golfers at the 19th hole, there is an impressive array of award-winning golf courses within easy striking distance. Baltusrol Golf Club under 4 miles away hosted the PGA Championship in 2005. Check out all the golf courses close to Maplewood at golflink.com

If tennis is your game there are plenty of public courts in the township parks, details from the Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs. Members of The Maplewood Club, founded in 1916, enjoy meeting for a game and for social events in the beautiful secluded grounds. Tennis classes for 3-8 year olds are held at Ad-In Kids Tennis.

Maplewood Lacrosse Club is a great way for kids (3rd-8th grade) to keep fit and have fun while older kids love the Maplewood South Orange Packers a Youth Football and Cheerleading Organization.

The Diamond Gym Sports and Fitness centre on Irvington Avenue competes with the best when it comes to work-out spots.

Eating Out

You don’t have to travel far for gastronomic pleasures in Maplewood. There are restaurants and cafes, delis and diners to suit every taste and purse. As you might expect in such an artistically inclined community, restaurateurs like to offer their customers a feast for all the senses. Here's 2 the Arts is a performer’s showcase cafe featuring music, comedy and theatre, while over at Verjus Restaurant, you can admire the works by local artists on the walls while relishing the contemporary French/New American cuisine on your plate. For a romantic date you can’t beat Restaurant Lorena’s whose seasonally inspired French cuisine has won it the accolade of being one of America’s top restaurants in the prestige Zagat survey 2008. Luke’s Kitchen comes highly recommended for a romantic dinner and ladies’ nights out,  and Cent 'Anni neighbourhood Italian trattoria and bar is another perfect place to meet friends, or try St James Gate Publick House offering an authentic Irish welcome and great comfort food, or the Sona for classic Indian dining and take-out.

Say cheese in Maplewood and Crane's Delicatessen & Cheese Shoppe  will definitely put a smile on your face, with more than 60 imported international cheeses and an inventive sandwich board featuring fresh breads from New York’s Sullivan St. Bakery. And for those wanting to pick up email over a coffee or a freshly made smoothy, Café Meow and the NetNomads Cafe hit the spot. Kids love to grab the pizza from Roman Gourmet, next to the Movie Theater and my junior food critics tell me the hot chocolate served up at Village Coffee is top of the league.

Our Community

Events & activities
There’s always something to inspire and delight in Maplewood. Aside from a myriad of cultural events, art shows and concerts, other community shindigs include Easter Eggs Hunts, Fourth of July Celebrations and the Halloween Parade. In December the Chamber of Commerce and Maplewood Village Alliance combine forces to put on enchanting‘Dickens Village’ festivities including horse and wagon rides, choir singing, bell ringing. You can download the Maplewood Leaflet, a community newsletter featuring forthcoming events, news and useful contact information from the Township of Maplewood  website.

Maplewood Township has two libraries; the Memorial Library on Baker Street and the Hilton Branch on Springfield Road.  It keeps a full list of local organizations – invaluable whether you are looking for a social club, recreational activity, a charity group or a business association.  Another very useful resource is the Newcomers Club of South Orange-Maplewood which extends a warm welcome. It has about 100 member households and runs 15 to 20 activities each month, such as books club, theatre group, children’s activities and even Scotch appreciation!

SOMapyday camp is part of the Metro YMCAs and offers outdoors fun and classes for kids at summer camp

History

The first European settlers – mainly English, Dutch and French Puritans - arrived in what is now Maplewood around 1675. They followed three trails used by Leni-Lenapi tribes of Algonquin Native Americans, roughly corresponding to today’s South Orange Avenue, Springfield Avenue, and Ridgewood Road.  Many decades later these three original communities merged into Maplewood.

Six families (named Smith, Brown, Pierson, Freeman, Ball, and Gildersleeve) came up today’s Ridgewood Road and began farming around a center that became Jefferson village. Those who came up today’s Springfield Avenue settled on a the top of the hill and set up a hamlet known as North Farms near what is now the intersection between Tuscan and Springfield Avenue. Later it became a stagecoach stop between Newark, Jersey City and Morristown – and trade started to pick up. It changed its name from North Farms to Middleville in 1830, and then to Hilton in 1880 when it was granted a post office. Inventor Seth Boyden retired to what was then Middleville in 1855 but carried on innovating, creating a number of agricultural products and building the first steam engines to service the railroad through Maplewood. The area became known for its orchards, and mills that produced everything from cider and wool to grist and paper.

When the Morris and Essex Railroad from Newark was extended in the mid 19th century, a land speculator called John Shedden built a railroad station in Jefferson Village and named it Maplewood. This name came to comprise the areas known as Hilton, Jefferson Village, and areas previously part of Springfield. Maplewood was part of South Orange Township, created in 1861.

In 1868, farms were divided into parcels for residential housing and the community started burgeoning rapidly. In 1922 Millburn became an independent township, separating from South Orange, but the two communities retain many links, including sharing a school system.

Today Maplewood has a palpable sense of community (there are close to 30 block associations in Maplewood and neighboring South Orange), and residents prize its socioeconomic diversity.

Maplewood was named as one of the best places to live by Money Magazine in 2002.