Glen Ridge -- The Glen

The Glen is a narrow strip of parkland situated along Bloomfield Avenue in the center of Glen Ridge. Toney's Brook flows through the property as it makes its way to join Second River. During the 19th century Toney's Brook supplied water power to a series of mills along The Glen, which made a variety of goods from hat boxes to bicycle chains. By 1900 nearly all of the mills were closed down. Rumors of plans to build an amusement park and beer garden in The Glen prompted 100 local residents to form the Glen Park Association. Shares were sold for the purchase of the various parcels of land along Toney's Brook. The effort to preserve "the pretty brook with grassy banks and well-wooded slopes" was a success and even today The Glen provides a tranquil oasis in the center of town. Identification of this site and its associated images was facilitated by Sally Meyer of the Glen Ridge Historical Society.