Essex County Town Guide

Glen Ridge, New Jersey

Explore Glen Ridge with NJTGO.com, from its distinctive gas-lit streets and historic residential character to local government, schools, parks, recreation, transportation, community organizations and everyday town resources.

Glen Ridge is a compact Essex County borough bordered by Bloomfield, Montclair, Orange and East Orange. Its walkable streets, commuter rail access, historic architecture and extensive network of traditional gas lamps give the community a character that stands out even among North Jersey's established suburbs.

Essex CountyHistoric Gas LampsCommuter RailPublic SchoolsParks & FieldsHistoric District

Gas-lit tree-lined street in Glen Ridge, New Jersey

Glen Ridge is known for its tree-lined streets and traditional gas lighting.

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Glen Ridge Community Snapshot

Glen Ridge is primarily residential and occupies about 1.5 square miles. The borough describes itself as a community of approximately 7,000 residents, with roughly 2,200 homes and 667 gas lamps illuminating its streets.

CommunitySmall, established Essex County borough with a strong residential identity.

Signature FeatureHundreds of traditional gas lamps remain part of the streetscape throughout the borough.

TransportationNJ Transit rail service at Glen Ridge Station plus local bus and municipal jitney connections.

Historic CharacterArchitecture, streetscapes and preservation are central to the borough's visual identity.

What Makes Glen Ridge Distinctive

Gas-Lit StreetsTraditional gas lamps have become one of Glen Ridge's defining visual features and remain in widespread use across the borough.

Historic Residential SettingTree-lined streets and architecturally distinctive homes help shape a cohesive historic suburban landscape.

Rail AccessGlen Ridge Station connects the borough to the NJ Transit Montclair-Boonton Line, supporting regional commuting.

Community ScaleThe borough's compact size keeps schools, civic services, parks, the library and rail station relatively close together.

Explore More of Glen Ridge

Use the NJTGO section pages for more detailed local information about businesses, restaurants, housing, visitor resources, community listings and employment.

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Town Guide Categories

GovernmentMunicipal offices, public safety, public works, taxes and community services. EducationGlen Ridge Public Schools, district contacts and school locations. LibraryBooks, programs, digital resources, museum passes and community services. TransportationRail, bus, local jitney service and major-road access. History & PreservationLocal history, gas lamps, archives and historic-preservation resources. Parks & RecreationFields, playgrounds, courts, recreation programs and the community pool. Arts & EntertainmentCreative instruction, music and cultural activity in and around the community. Clubs & OrganizationsCivic, historical, service and community organizations. Places of WorshipLocal congregations and faith communities. Sports & LeisureGolf, swimming, fitness, athletics and recreation facilities. Business & ShoppingLocal businesses, services, offices and shopping resources. Food & DrinkRestaurants, cafés, takeout and nearby dining resources.

Government & Public Services

Glen Ridge Municipal Building

825 Bloomfield Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-748-8400

Municipal offices provide access to administration, the clerk, finance, tax and water, vital statistics, building and planning services, health functions and other borough services.

Official Borough Website Municipal Directory

Key Local Contacts

Police Department
3 Herman Street
973-748-5400 · Emergency: 911

Volunteer Ambulance Squad
Non-emergency: 973-748-7721

Parks & Recreation
228 Ridgewood Avenue
973-748-2924

Public Works
122 Carteret Street
973-748-8400 ext. 223

Municipal Department Quick Reference

Building Department973-748-8400 ext. 232

Health / Vital Statistics973-748-8400 ext. 221

Tax & Water Collector973-748-8400 ext. 236

Municipal Assessor973-748-8400 ext. 249

Education

Glen Ridge Public Schools
12 High Street
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-429-8300

Forest Avenue SchoolPre-K through Grade 2
287 Forest Avenue
973-429-8308

Linden Avenue SchoolPre-K through Grade 2
205 Linden Avenue
973-429-8301

Ridgewood Avenue SchoolGrades 3 through 6
235 Ridgewood Avenue
973-429-8306

Glen Ridge Middle / High SchoolGrades 7 through 12
200 Ridgewood Avenue
973-429-8303

Glen Ridge Public Schools

Glen Ridge Public Library

240 Ridgewood Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-748-5482

The library provides books, movies, digital resources, research databases, programs, museum passes, a Library of Things and other community services.

Library Website

Community Resource

The library sits near several of Glen Ridge's central civic and school facilities and serves as an important year-round resource for residents of all ages.

Transportation & Commuting

Glen Ridge StationLocated at Bloomfield Avenue and Ridgewood Avenue with service on NJ Transit's Montclair-Boonton Line.

Bus ServiceNJ Transit bus service provides regional connections, including access toward Manhattan and Newark.

Municipal JitneyGlen Ridge operates weekday neighborhood jitney service connecting riders with the Ridgewood Avenue train station.

Regional Road AccessThe borough is near the Garden State Parkway, I-280 and other North Jersey routes serving the New York metropolitan area.

NJ Transit Glen Ridge Station Borough Transportation Jitney Information

History & Historic Preservation

Glen Ridge became an independent borough in 1895 after separating from Bloomfield. Railroad development in the nineteenth century helped transform the area from farms, woodlands and mill activity into a residential suburb.

Gas Lamp HeritageTraditional gas lighting has been closely associated with Glen Ridge since the borough's early years and remains one of its best-known features.

Glen Ridge Historic DistrictHistoric preservation plays a major role in protecting the architectural character and streetscapes of the community.

Glen Ridge Historical SocietyThe local society promotes Glen Ridge history, maintains archival resources and supports education about the borough's architectural heritage.

Terry S. Webster ArchivesThe Historical Society maintains archival materials at 195 Ridgewood Avenue, including photographs, maps, directories, yearbooks and building files.

Glen Ridge Historical Society Historic Preservation Commission

Parks, Fields & Recreation

Carteret ParkCarteret Street / Lorraine Street
Playground, baseball and softball/youth baseball diamonds, soccer field, street hockey rink and field house.

Clay FieldSherman Avenue & Belleville Avenue
Playground, youth softball/tee-ball diamond, youth soccer field and paddleball courts.

Forest Avenue FieldForest Avenue between Sunset Avenue and Glen Ridge Parkway
Playground, softball/youth baseball, field hockey/soccer and basketball.

Hurrell FieldBloomfield Avenue / Belleville Avenue
Baseball, football/soccer, quarter-mile all-weather track, basketball court and field house.

Sherman Avenue FieldSherman Avenue between Bay Avenue and Baldwin Street
Softball/youth baseball and youth soccer.

The Glen Gazebo140 Hillside Avenue
A community gathering feature near the center of town.

Borough Recreation Facilities

Arts & Entertainment

Glen Ridge's arts and cultural activity is closely connected with its schools, library, community organizations and private instruction. Local directory listings include:

Caricatures by VG Myers41 Douglas Road
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-429-8131

Studio Kids Art18 Douglas Road
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-429-5773

Glen Ridge Shukokai Karate855 Bloomfield Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-748-5282

Yves Obadia Guitar LessonsHighland Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
917-763-9262

New York Performing Artist Co.7 Columbus Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-783-2395

Clubs & Community Organizations

Glen Ridge Historical SocietyLocal history, archives, educational programs and preservation resources.

Women's Club of Glen Ridge219 Ridgewood Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-748-5459

American Red Cross219 Ridgewood Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-746-1800

Community Boards & CommissionsResidents can participate in borough boards and commissions covering health, historic preservation, planning, shade trees, environmental issues and other civic areas.

Places of Worship

Christ Episcopal Church74 Park Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-743-5911

Glen Ridge Congregational Church195 Ridgewood Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
973-743-5596

St. Francis of Assisi ParishGlen Ridge area
Local Roman Catholic parish community.

Sports & Leisure

Glen Ridge Community Pool35 Clark Street
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Community swimming and seasonal recreation.

Glen Ridge Country Club555 Ridgewood Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Golf and club recreation.

Field SportsBorough facilities support baseball, softball, soccer, football, field hockey and youth recreation.

Courts & TrackLocal facilities include basketball courts, paddleball courts, a street hockey rink and an all-weather running track.

Official & Community Resources

Borough of Glen RidgeMunicipal services, alerts, departments, meetings and resident information. Glen Ridge Public SchoolsDistrict and school information. Glen Ridge Public LibraryLibrary collections, events and community resources. Glen Ridge Historical SocietyLocal history, archives and preservation education. NJ TransitGlen Ridge Station information and rail connections. Parks & RecreationBorough athletic and recreation facilities.

Nearby Communities

Bloomfield
Neighboring Essex County township east and north of Glen Ridge. Montclair
Nearby dining, arts, shopping and commuter destination west of Glen Ridge. East Orange
Neighboring Essex County city southeast of Glen Ridge. Orange
Neighboring Essex County city south of Glen Ridge.

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