Located in New Jersey’s Bergen County, Tenafly is a town with a population of more than 15,000. A suburb of New York City, it is only 6 miles to the George Washington Bridge. But while access to the Big Apple is a big draw, you would never know you were anywhere near the city when you drive down Tenafly’s beautiful, tree-lined streets. Anyone looking into Tenafly homes for sale will find a wide array of housing options, from grand estates, new constructions and mansions on the East Hill to more moderately sized center-hall colonials. You can also find tudors and smaller Cape Cods. Tenafly is beloved by residents for all the town has to offer, including during the summers. If you’re wondering where the action is as you search for Tenafly real estate, keep reading for information on the town’s best summer pastimes.
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Davis Johnson Park & Gardens
Photo courtesy of BusinessYab It’s green spaces like these that substantiate New Jersey’s famous handle, “The Garden State.” The botanical gardens at the corner of Engle St and Westervelt Ave feature various native plants, a sprawling lawn, and the park’s jewel, its rose garden.
The park covers seven acres originally bequeathed to the Tenafly borough by the estate of Alliene S.D. Johnson. Johnson is the namesake of the park and its Garden Room, which consists of a large meeting room, greenhouse, kitchen, gallery, and restrooms.
In addition to the Garden Room, the park contains a brick patio; gazebo; landscaping and flower beds; maintenance facility; and the aforementioned walking paths. The nationally-accredited rose garden attracts wedding parties and wedding ceremonies, usually on weekends, throughout the year (a city permit is required for such use).
A civic treasure, Davis Johnson Park & Gardens sets the tone for the aesthetics of Tenafly real estate. Walk the quiet paths at dawn, on your lunch break (peak hours are noon to 3 p.m.), or in the early evening. Admission is free!
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Tenakill Swim Club
Tenakill Swim Club is foremost a family pool where parents can relax while the kids play safely under the watch of its lifeguards. As an organization, the Club is a non-profit private club for Tenafly citizens and people from certain neighboring towns. In addition to membership in the casual pool, the Club advertises its membership in USA Swimming and USA Diving in order to promote its swim and dive team (the Dolphins), whose meets take place in July.
The Club traditionally opens the last Saturday of May and closes on Labor Day in early September. Pool season overlaps completely with hot season in Tenafly — temps sit in the 80s June through August. The pool expands its hours once Tenafly public schools let out, typically in mid-June. Single member, couple, and family memberships all are available for less than $1,000 for the entire season. Membership dues cover group swim lessons. Bring your family to Tenakill and make the pool a fixture in your summers!
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Knickerbocker Country Club
Photo courtesy of GolfPass Knickerbocker Country Club sits in the center of Tenafly, about three miles west of the Hudson River. If you think the name seems old-school, you’d be correct — the club and golf course were built and designed in 1914 by Donald Ross.
The golf course is the property’s centerpiece. It was restored in winter 2008 by Ron Forse, a modern traditionalist whose alterations preserved the natural character of the original course. In general, the shorter holes terminate in challenging, sloping greens, and the longer holes lead to more forgiving greens.
Outside golf, the Club maintains a swimming pool, racquet sport courts and facilities, and a fancy dining hall. Children can participate in sports, take classes, and enroll in the Knickerbocker Summer Campy.
In contrast to the cutthroat atmosphere of other country clubs, the Knickerbocker wants sportsmanship to coexist with warm and welcoming vibes becoming of your second home. For example, the golf club prides itself on its “no tee times” policy, meaning golfers can simply show up to play and join a group. If you’re looking into Tenafly homes for sale, Knickerbocker accepts membership inquiries on its website via email.
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Parks and recreation
Photo courtesy of Tenafly Nature Center The rose garden at Davis Johnson Park & Gardens is a gateway for many residents who go on to explore more parks in Tenafly. Given that the borough was incorporated in the late 19th century (after the Dutch first arrived in the late 1600s), it follows that some of these natural sites date back to different eras. If you want to buy Tenafly homes for sale, chances are there’ll be a park near you.
Roosevelt Common
At 10 acres, Roosevelt Common covers nearly as much space as the adjacent downtown Tenafly. Its name refers to Theodore Roosevelt and the monument and pond which also bear the former president’s name. To play on its tennis courts, remember to get a badge from the park’s Rec Office. The newest development of this historic park is the skate park recently built next to the pond. Fittingly, residents congregate here for Fourth of July Celebrations.
Sunnyside Park
Recently renovated, the five-acre Sunnyside Park rests just off Tenafly Road south of downtown. A refreshingly simple green space, Sunnyside has a walking path loop, two playgrounds, and three playing fields used for baseball, soccer, and softball.
Huyler Park
Visit Tenafly and you can’t miss Huyler Park: it’s located next to the historic railroad station in downtown Tenafly. Huyler is an urban park inasmuch as it’s more concrete than green. Here you’ll find memorials to veterans and non-permanent features like the summer concert series the city puts on.
Small parks, small children
Besides the playgrounds at Sunnyside Park, there are a few small parks that children love. There’s Froggy Park (ages two to five) west of Tenakill Brook; Griffin Park (ages two to five), a shaded play area within Roosevelt Common; and Walnut Park, a cul de sac park south of downtown.
Tenafly Nature Center
The largest natural park in Tenafly is Tenafly Nature Center, which abuts the Lost Brook Preserve on Hudson River. Dozens of nesting birds call these lands home, as do many mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Visitors are drawn to the park’s indoor exhibits, and the park also serves as stomping grounds for school children, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and families. When people say there’s more to the tri-state area than you think, they’re referring to places like the Tenafly Nature Center.
Kaplen JCC on the Palisades
Tenafly’s JCC is a social, intellectual, physical, and spiritual center that’s rooted in Judaism and welcomes all visitors. The complex is situated away from most Tenafly real estate in a corner next to the Tenafly Nature Center (you can access it from the south via East Clinton Avenue). The calendar is full of programs for all ages in most hobbies or disciplines you can think of, including schools for creative arts, music, dance, drama, and special services.
Tenafly is a family’s dream come true, offering the highest rated schools in New Jersey. Not to mention that relocating to Bergen County brings you face to face with gorgeous, luxury homes, a beautiful landscape, and a tight-knit community. For those looking to relocate in Tenafly, working with a local real estate agent is a must. Linda Stamker grew up in Tenafly, and is an award-winning real estate associate in Bergen County, specializing in luxury properties throughout the area. Linda knows how to help clients find the perfect property for them, in the perfect location. When you’re ready to learn more about the available properties in the area, get in touch with Tenafly real estate expert Linda Stamker.
