NEWARK, NJ — More than 5,300 cherry blossom trees are in full bloom at Branch Brook Park, drawing thousands of visitors as the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival enters its final days. The vibrant display of pink and white petals, now at peak bloom, is expected to last through the weekend, depending on weather conditions.
Key Points
- Branch Brook Park’s 5,300 cherry blossoms have reached peak bloom, surpassing Washington, D.C.’s collection
- The 49th annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival runs through Sunday, April 13
- Bloomwatch Webcam offers real-time updates as petals begin to fall
The 360-acre park, which stretches from Newark’s North Ward into Belleville, contains the largest and most diverse collection of Japanese flowering cherry trees in the country. The Branch Brook Park Alliance reports 18 varieties of cherry blossoms are on display, including Yoshino, Kwanzan, and weeping Higan trees.
NJ.com stated that peak bloom — when 70% of the flowers are open — is expected to continue through this weekend, though some varieties may linger into early May. The public can monitor bloom status through the park’s online Bloomwatch Webcam.
Blossoms with history
The cherry blossom legacy in Newark began in 1927 when Caroline Bamberger Fuld, co-founder of the Bamberger’s department store chain, donated 2,000 trees after visiting Japan. The Bamberger family followed up with an additional 1,600 trees the next year, creating a collection that rivals the nation’s capital.
Branch Brook Park, designed by the Olmsted Brothers and opened in 1895, was the first county park in the United States. Its cherry trees were planted along tiered slopes to mirror traditional Japanese landscapes, a layout still visible today, according to YourHarrison.com.
Restoration and festival events
By the 1960s, the park’s collection had declined to about 1,000 trees due to aging. A restoration project led by Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and the Branch Brook Park Alliance has since restored the collection to its current size. More than 1,100 new trees have been planted since 2006.
The annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, founded in 1976 by Newark native Kathleen P. Galop, includes a range of public events. This year’s activities feature a 10K Run, a 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, and Bloomfest, which includes Japanese cultural displays, food vendors, and live performances.
Infrastructure and access
A new $10.45 million Cherry Blossom Welcome Center opened in November 2024, offering exhibits, a year-round imitation cherry tree, and public restrooms. Transit access to the park has been promoted by NJ TRANSIT, which encourages visitors to take the light rail to Branch Brook Park station.
RollingOut.com noted the densest blossoms can be found in the park’s northern section near the Welcome Center, while the southern area near Prudential Concert Grove offers scenic picnic spots. With petals beginning to fall, this weekend marks the last opportunity to experience the full bloom.
PINK PANIC: Cherry blossoms hit peak bloom at Newark’s Branch Brook Park as time ticks away