Gordon Court Park
Rate this placeNearby: Greeley Park Bayshore Waterfront Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Gordon Court Park is a well-maintained park located in West Orange, New Jersey that offers visitors a range of activities and amenities.
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Summary
The park covers an area of about 75 acres and has several features that make it an ideal spot to visit for both locals and tourists.
One of the main reasons to visit Gordon Court Park is the beautiful scenery and abundant greenery. The park has numerous walking trails that wind through the woods, providing visitors with a chance to enjoy nature while getting some exercise. There is also a pond that is perfect for fishing or just relaxing by the water.
For sports enthusiasts, Gordon Court Park has several athletic facilities, including baseball fields, basketball courts, and tennis courts. In addition, there is a playground for children, as well as picnic areas and a gazebo that can be rented for events.
One of the most interesting features of Gordon Court Park is the Turtle Back Zoo, which is located within the park. The zoo is home to over 850 animals from around the world, including tigers, giraffes, and sea lions. Visitors can also take a ride on the zoo's carousel or miniature train.
Gordon Court Park is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. The park is free to enter, although some of the attractions may have an admission fee.
Overall, Gordon Court Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors, engage in sports, or learn about wildlife. With its many amenities and beautiful surroundings, it's no wonder that this park is a popular spot for visitors to New Jersey.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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