RIDE NEWARK LIGHT RAIL TO THE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
NJ TRANSIT offers convenient service to Essex County Branch Brook Park
April 7, 2010
NJT-10-023
NEWARK, NJ — With the largest display of cherry blossom trees right here in New Jersey, you don’t need to travel far to enjoy the spring-time blooms! NJ TRANSIT’s Newark Light Rail offers an easy trip to Essex County Branch Brook Park for the 34th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which begins Saturday, April 10. But you don’t have to wait until Saturday to enjoy the magnificent site.
Newark Light Rail trains provide service to Essex County Branch Brook Park from Newark Penn Station and Newark Broad Street Station, as well as from Grove Street Station in Bloomfield, and several light rail stations within the City of Newark. Trains operate about every 5-10 minutes on weekdays, every 20 minutes on Saturdays and every 25 minutes on Sundays. To access the park, take Newark Light Rail to Davenport Avenue, Bloomfield Avenue or Branch Brook Park stations. For schedule and fare information, visit njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.
With 4,100 trees, historic Essex County Branch Brook Park boasts the largest, most diverse collection of cherry blossoms in one location—with more trees than even Washington, D.C.
After learning that many of the original trees were decaying due to old age, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. initiated a program three years ago to plant new cherry blossom trees throughout the park.
“We encourage residents from across the state to join us at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and see the beauty that Essex County Branch Brook Park has to offer,” said DiVincenzo. “And, what better way to get there than a ‘green’ travel option—Newark Light Rail, which lets you leave your car behind.”
“With connections from buses and trains at two major transit hubs, Newark Light Rail is a convenient way for people from across New Jersey to get to beautiful Branch Brook Park,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Jim Weinstein.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 895,000 weekday trips on 240 bus routes, three light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 60 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.