Brenda Putzer

Berkeley Heights, NJ Area Guide

General Information

Berkeley Heights is a small community in Union County with a population of approximately 12,900 people. The community here consists of tree-lined streets, affordable housing, and an excellent school system, which makes it an ideal place to raise a family among the Watchung Mountains. Spacious parks and recreation facilities are available for residents, and the city is an easy commute to New York City by train. As the city continues to grow, the Township Council strives to maintain the charming atmosphere the city is known for.

History of Berkeley Heights
The first European settler to move to this area was Peter Willcox, a man who received 424 acres of land in 1720 from the Elizabethtown Associates (a group of investors who purchased most of northern New Jersey from the Lenni Lenape Native Americans). Mr. Willcox began by building a grist mill and a lumber mill here across Green Brook. In 1845, Mr. Willcox’s descendents sold the mill to a paper manufacturer from New York named David Felt, who constructed a small village around the mill known as Feltville. In 1860, Feltville was sold to a group of sarsaparilla makers and was used for a variety of manufacturing operations before going bankrupt in 1882. When the residents left, the area became known as “Deserted Village”, and the remains of this village consist of 130 acres and are now on the National Register of Historic Places. The village is undergoing restoration by the Union County Parks Department and currently includes seven houses, a store, the mill, and a barn.
Many of the townships in New Jersey began to split into locally governed communities, and eventually the Township of New Providence was divided and renamed Berkeley Heights Township. Although the origin of the new name was never officially established, it is assumed that the name Berkeley Heights is from Lord John Berkeley, who was co-proprietor of New Jersey from 1664-1674.

Watchung Reservation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchung_Reservation
The Watchung Reservation is the largest park in Union County and features playgrounds, golf courses, stables, and a museum. Other recreational activities available includehiking and horseback riding on the numerous trails that run across the nearly 2,000 acres of land.

Deserted Village
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deserted_Village

Deserted Village is located in the Watchung Reservation and includes eight houses, a church, a carriage house, and a general house. Formerly known as Feltville, Deserted Village was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 so that the area could be properly preserved.

Parks and Recreation
http://www.berkeleyheightstwp.com/recreation.htm
There are several municipal parks located in Berkeley Heights, including Columbia Park which is located along Plainfield Avenue. Columbia Park is the largest public park in the area and features tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, and a large playground. In addition to the municipal parks, the parks at each of the schools, and the various athletic fields, Berkeley Heights also has three public pools located at the Berkeley Heights Community Pool on Locust Avenue, the Berkeley Swim Club behind Columbia Park, and Berkeley Aquatic off of Springfield Avenue.