Woodbridge in Middlesex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Leisure in the Good Old Days
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018
1. Leisure in the Good Old Days Marker
In the early 20th century, public outdoor picnic areas provided respite and relaxation to the citizens of Woodbridge Township.
Florida Grove, the earliest of the picnic areas, was located in Keasbey and provided fun for many years until closed to make room for factories serving the expanding terra cotta industry.
Pfeiffer’s Grove, located on Florida Grove Road where Warren Park and the entrance to St. James Cemetery now stand, catered to the people of Hopelawn. It closed in the late 1960s.
Varady’s Grove, located near the present-day 400 block of Ford Avenue and Varady Drive, was used by many local churches for picnics. Varady’s had sizable structures that maintained grills for picnickers to prepare their food. Entertainment included three-legged races, potato sack races and concerts for all age groups.
A half mile southeast of Varady’s was Highland Grove, designed primarily for picnics. It is still in use today as a YMCA pool and picnic facility.
More information visit www.wthpc.org
Woodbridge Township Historic Preservation Commission
Mayor John E. McCormac Woodbridge Township 2013
Erected 2013 by Woodbridge Township Historic Preservation Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
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Location. 40° 33.366′ N, 74° 17.549′ W. Marker is in Woodbridge, New Jersey, in Middlesex County. Marker is at the intersection of S Park Drive and Mobile Avenue, on the left when traveling east on S Park Drive. The marker is in the Marion & Norman Tanzman Recreational Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodbridge NJ 07095, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Colonia Country Club (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonia Triangle & Colonia Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Fred Albee & U.S. General Hospital No. 3 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bloomfield House c. 1750 (about 400 feet away); Captain Henrik Kurt Carlsen (about 500 feet away); Cooper’s Dairy Farm (about 500 feet away); St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Port Reading (about 700 feet away); Star Eagle Section (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodbridge.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018
2. Leisure in the Good Old Days Marker site
This marker is at the intersection of S Park Drive and Mobile Avenue.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018
3. Inset
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018
4. Inset
Soft drink line created in 1937 by Tangeri family of Fords, bottled at 890 King Georges Post Road.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018
5. Inset
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 26, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
