Amenities

R E C R E A T I O N 




Swimming

South Orange has a municipal pool which is open during the summer.  A recreation badge costs $35 per person, and not more than $140 per household.  This gains access to tennis courts and pool.

Maplewood charges $400 per household for use of its summer pool.

JFK Aquatic Center, Newark.  This is a  winter-time  economical alternative.  The centre has an  olympic-size,  indoor  pool.  Swimmers  must wear bathing caps.   Yearly  membership fee is $15.   Located at  211 W. Kinney St., Newark.  Tel:   973-733-6550

Walking

Academy Heights is a neighborhood that is made for walking!  You can walk to most parts of South Orange or Maplewood from our area, or take a walk along Academy Street as many residents do.

South Mountain Reservation is a short drive west on South Orange Avenue.  There you can park your car, and walk along a mile-long paved path along a ridge, or you can hike through the woods.

Running

It's easy to run/jog around our neighbourhood or town!  Some people run to Underhill Field (the High School running track on Garfield Place) to use the facility, while others run to New Waterlands Field and use the pathway through the woods.   You may also jog through the village center and run along the river walkway.

Barbecuing

Whether you want to grill with gas or use charcoal a barbecue, a backyard or a block party is the perfect place to try your hand. 
Picture
Block Party BBQ.

Trees

Trees are  assets and amenities that help keep our homes cool,  supply miniature eco-systems, and  help absorb  excessive rain water.     Homeowners are urged to  retain and preserve shade trees as long as possible.   

Founders Park

​​Academy Heights has its very own park--just off of Valley Street near 5th: it has a small playground, swing sets, and numerous benches. Until 1971, this space was a historic cemetery. The town then converted the space into a park, and transferred the graves to the centre of the green (under the obelisk). Many of the town's fathers are listed on that column. In March 2017, the village officially changed the name of the park from Memorial Park to FOUNDERS PARK.   The residents of Academy Heights have a park clean-up day in the springtime and contribute to plantings throughout the green area.

If  you  have children who are  train-spotting  fans,  the park is  a great place to see  New Jersey Transit trains whiz by.   A  chain-link fence between park and railway insure that nobody  can  stray onto the  rails.


G E T T I N G     O U T

Restaurants


Academy Heights has local options for dining out or eating in. A few take-out restaurants are located along Valley Street while sit-down establishments are located closer to the north end of the neighbourhood.  If you are new to NJ, you should know that many restaurants are BYOB (check beforehand) because of limited liquor licences.   You may bring your own wine or beer into these restaurants without any issues.

​HARUSAME is a sushi restaurant on Academy Street that serves both sushi, and some Japanese dishes.  See the website:  http://www.harusamesushi.com/

​TOWN HALL DELI:  Traditional deli that is famous for its  North Jersey-style Sloppy Joe sandwiches, and cheesecake.    Website:  http://www.townhalldeli.com/

MOZZARELLA RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA: Italian pizzeria and restaurant on Valley Street near Roland Ave.   Take-out and eat-in, eat outdoors.  
​
WALIA:   Ethiopian restaurant near the center of town;  you may eat in or take out.  Website: http://www.waliarestaurant.com/

Downtown
The north end of Academy Heights transitions into  South Orange's  "downtown"  where  local residents  walk to buy groceries,  have a  drink ,  listen to music  or take their kids for an ice cream cone.    During summer, Friday and Saturday evenings  "downtown"  include  listening to live  musical  groups at Spiotta Park.
Academy Heights Amenities