Maplewood Information

Tucked between the train station and Memorial Park – designed by the Olmstead Brothers – it’s a bustling shopping center by day and the place to be at night. The mix of eateries, from coffee shop to pub, Thai cuisine to steakhouse, would be right at home in Manhattan.

Maplewood is on the New Jersey Transit Midtown Direct Line. From here trains go to and from Penn Station on the Midtown Direct Line seven days a week. Trains continue westbound to Summit, Morristown and Dover. Permit parking is available in lots. A jitney bus service, covering three routes, offers frequent service for commuters going to the train station. Commuters purchase roundtrip monthly tickets to and from Penn Station for $208 or, for the same fare, to Hoboken where commuters catch a PATH train into lower Manhattan.

The trouble with eating in Maplewood is too many choices! Maplewood Village has a great mix of popular eateries. There are even more options on Springfield Avenue, a commercial strip that cuts across the southern part of the township. In fact the 2012 New Jersey Monthly listing of the top 20 restaurants includes Lorena’s, on Maplewood Avenue and Verjus, on Springfield Avenue.St. James’s Gate is a popular pub on Maplewood Avenue, just a few doors down is Coda, a great place for happy hour or dinner. Around the corner is Highland Place where there is often live music to go with your food and drinks; recently the popular bread and cheese shop, Cranes, has taken up residence in Highland Place, so you can enjoy breakfast and lunch there too. For a great burger, head to The Laurel, the NY Times likes them too.

Just drive along the two mile stretch of Wyoming Avenue and you’ll have a sense of the diverse architecture, grand homes and landscaped lawns that make Maplewood special. All over town, it is just under 4 square miles, there are great communities in walking distance to parks, shops and transportation.Photo 4The neighborhoods of Maplewood are generally referred to by the name of the closest elementary school – so there’s South Mountain, Seth Boyden, Clinton and Jefferson.

Special enclaves like Roosevelt Park have their own history. Teddy Roosevelt spent summers at his uncle’s estate here. Now Roosevelt Street is part of the Jefferson community that includes a small group of shops with resale clothing and furniture, an art gallery and cupcakes.

Maplewood shares a school district with South Orange (the two towns were one until 1904). Generally speaking, Maplewood children attend elementary schools in close proximity to their homes. All South Orange and Maplewood students attend Columbia High School which is in Maplewood.The following schools are located in Maplewood:

• Clinton – kindergarten through 5th.
• Tuscan – kindergarten through 5th.
• Seth Boyden – kindergarten through 5th. (Any family in the district may choose this demonstration school, “…established to provide an innovative program of instruction to meet the needs of a diverse student population reflecting the integrated communities of South Orange and Maplewood.”)
• Jefferson – grades 3 – 5.
• Maplewood Middle School – 6th, 7th and 8th grades
• (there is also a South Orange Middle).

Since there are variables, including the exact location of your home and parental choice, that determine where your children will go to school I will be happy to help you sort it out. My daughters went to Marshall and Jefferson and are now in Middle School and High School so I have a parent’s perspective. I’m also happy to connect you with other families attending any of the schools.

Nature lovers, athletes, thespians, music and art lovers all feel at home in Maplewood. Start at the top – the South Mountain Reservation – an oasis of hiking trails, waterfalls and great views of the New York skyline. Part of the Watchung Mountains, the reservations covers 2000 acres, many of them in Maplewood.Head down to the Village and you’ll find Memorial Park. It’s a quick stroll to the Library where you can pick up a book to read while you’re relaxing by the stream. (The Library has added bonuses like free museum passes and mobile apps!) Maplewoodians celebrate the warm weather with tennis, golf and swimming. Tennis courts are available in the town parks. The Community Pool is located in the southeast corner of town. The Maplewood Country Club is a private golf course.

If you have a green thumb, or want to grow one, the Garden Club Plant Sale held each May at the pool will get you started. If you need more space than your yard or just like to be with other gardeners, the Maplewood Community Garden is for you.

Photo 4For two days every summer Memorial Field turns into Maplewoodstock. Neighbors gather on the lawn to listen to great music. Local artisans sell their crafts and restaurants sell food and drinks. This free event was founded by local music lovers including Jamie Ross. Jamie is also the man behind Maplewood Online. This website provides a central site for residents to ask questions, get information and connect with each other.