About the Westfield, Cranford and Scotch Plains, New Jersey Area 

Westfield 

Welcome to the broad tree-lined streets of this "Norman Rockwell-like" community. With a population of 30,000, Westfield still has a small town atmosphere. Known for its vibrant downtown & excellent school system, Westfield is home to many NYC commuters. City dwellers looking to flee New York City for the suburbs gravitate to Westfield where they can shop, enjoy eateries of every sort, or steep oneself in culture whether it be concerts, plays, museums, you name it, or simply to just have fun. Westfield is charming, friendly, safe & picturesque yet still an easy commute to Manhattan & the boroughs. 

The original inhabitants of Westfield were the Lenni-Lenape Indians who blazed trails through this territory until 1664 when the English Long Islanders purchased the Elizabethtown tract from the Lenni Lenape chieftains. The first European immigrants arrived in the area in the 1699. They were farmers looking for open land. They moved their fields from Elizabeth west to "The West Fields of Elizabeth". In 1720, they established the town of Westfield. 

Today the town includes an 18-block shopping and business district. The thriving downtown shopping district includes many major retailers, as well as, small boutiques, florists, deli's, & gourmet take-out bistros. Just to whet your appetite if you love to shop, conjure up a virtual outdoor mall with Lord & Taylor, The Gap, Kid's Gap, Williams Sonoma, Coldweater Creek, Smith & Hawkins, Ann Taylor, Mephisto, Banana Republic, Victoria's Secret, Balck & White, Chico's, Footlocker,& Kaybee Toys. You'll be able to stop for lunch or dinner at one of the fine eateries including, Theresa's, Brick Oven, Mojave Grill, Ferraro's, Aquaviva, 16 Prospect, A Splash of Thai or Fujiyama Mamas, just to skim the surface. If you're up for a caffeine fix, wander into Starbucks and have a Latte and one of their decadent desserts. 

This is a town that is all about it's children with excellent sports and recreation programs as a complement to the renowned school system. The landscape includes many lush parks & golf courses for adults as well as children to enjoy. The Westfield Memorial Pool complex boasts 4 pools, tennis courts, and basketball hoops. The YMCA is a mecca for the physically fit with 2 indoor pools, a racketball court, exercise facilities, and a before & after school program. Little league Baseball is being played everywhere. The 12.6 acre Mindowaskin Park offers concerts in the summer, ice skating in the winter & a children's playground. If your child has a special interest, please e-mail me and I will be happy to provide you with the information you need. 

The Rialto Theater with its restored façade and Art Deco marquee is a great place for adults and kids to enjoy the latest movies. Afterwords, you can jump into the Windmill for a delicious hot dog or walk around the corner and enjoy a gelato at La Crema. 

With it's cosmopolitan yet picturesque charm, Westfield is not just a great place to live, it's a Destination! 

Cranford 

Bordering Westfield to the east and in the heart of Union County is Cranford. With a population of approximately 23,000, Cranford spans 4.79 sq. miles, which includes an astonishing 415 acres of parkland. Cranford is a lovely town for walking; one favorite walk is along the 2-mile fitness trail through Nomahegan Park. If you prefer biking, a 13.5-mile bike path connects all major points of interest in town and boasts bike lockers at the train station, downtown, the schools, the library and recreational facilities. 

Known at the turn-of?the-century as the Venice of New Jersey, the Township of Cranford grew up around the Rahway River. In fact, Cranford is the only place in Union County where you can still rent a canoe. The canoe ride is a fascinating one as many architecturally beautiful homes were built along the river. 

The river played such an important roll back at the turn of the century that often the rear façades of the riverfront homes were designed to be just as extraordinary as their fronts. From 1880 to 1926 "river carnivals" played a major part in the Cranford social scene. Today canoes still glide along in the summer and in the winter the river becomes an ice skater's paradise. 

In 1985 Cranford became the first NJ community to pass an ordinance for the formation of a Special Improvement District (SID) to revitalize its downtown. A picturesque, friendly town, Cranford's downtown is a warm inviting piece of Americana. There are clothing stores, gift shops, antique shops, jewelers, restaurants, pizza parlors, diners, cafes and a movie theater. Now with Victorian Street lamps, brick sidewalks, planters, pedestrian benches and the clock tower, Cranford charms citizens and visitors alike with a special ambience. 

Cranford is conveniently located within 20 miles of Manhattan, a mere 15-minute ride to Newark International Airport and less than an hour's ride to the Jersey Shore and Kennedy International Airport. Serviced by the Raritan Valley Line, the train service to Manhattan takes about 40 minutes. The Garden State Parkway with 2 exits in Cranford, connects to the NJ Turnpike, Rtes 22, 78, 24, & 80 making Cranford an easy commute to all Employment Centers. 

Scotch Plains 

Scotch Plains was recently named the #1 "Undervalued Town" in the country by an organization called "Neighborhood Scout". The criteria was for towns to be within 40 miles of a metropolitan center and still offer families good public schools, low crime rate and educated neighbors. In addition to that the median home prices have to be surprisingly low compared to other comparable towns. 

The Lenni-Lenape Indians were the first to live on the plains at the foot of the mountains, followed by the Dutch and English settlers. In 1684, a small group of Scottish immigrants cleared the land and built a community they christened, "Scotsplain", in honor of George Scot, their leader, who died at sea before reaching what is now New Jersey. 

Scotch Plains has grown from a predominantly agricultural town to a flourishing residential community. The circa 1737 Stagecoach Inn, situated at the corner of Park Avenue and Front Street, is the historical focus of the downtown area which blends the charm of the historic antique village surrounding the Inn with more up-to-the-minute restaurants, specialty shops, a butcher shop and drugstores. 

Concerts, a Jersey fresh farmers' market, a holiday hayride and a walking tour are among the events that bring the residents together and foster community identity and spirit. 

Today Scotch Plains with over 22,000 residents is home to a great number of NYC commuters. Spread out over 9.06 sq. miles, Scotch Plains is primarily a residential community. The town boasts eight parks, which offer playgrounds, basketball, baseball, tennis courts, picnic areas and even a bocce court. The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA offers basketball, co-ed volleyball, Tae Kwon Do, gymnastics, an indoor pool, swim lessons, swim teams, water fitness and the pool can even be rented out for private parties. The town also has 3 golf courses. 

Fanwood 

Surrounded on three sides by Scotch Plains, the village of Fanwood shares recreational and educational facilities with Scotch Plains, but it has its own library, shopping areas, parks, and most of all--its own unique identity.  

Located 28 miles south west of NYC in the Western end of Union County, Fanwood is an important commuter town where many residents are within walking distance of the train station. The Victorian Gothic Station dates back to 1895 and has been beautifully preserved. Today it doubles as a Community Center. The ride to Midtown Manhattan runs between 47 to 50 minutes on the Raritan Valley Line. 

With a population of 7,000, tiny Fanwood evokes images of small-town wholesomeness. The streets are lined with mighty trees and gracious homes, a felicitous mix of Victorians, Colonials and Tudors with a sampling of ranches and split-levels, as well. Primarily residential, Fanwood has no industry and no commercial areas. 

There are many events during the year to bring Fanwood residents together. Fanny Wood Day is like a country fair with a pancake breakfast that culminates in a wonderful fireworks display. Other happenings include the Memorial Day Parade, the Halloween Costume Parade, and on summer evenings children of all ages enjoy free movies in LaGrande Park. 

There is a pervasive spirit of volunteerism and a community goal to preserve Fanwood's historical heritage. A proposal is currently under consideration for the designation of a new historic district of 80 homes in a park-like neighborhood of late 19th and early 20th century homes. If the proposal is successful, the area will be dubbed the Fanwood Park Historic District. Additionally, Fanwood's downtown is undergoing its own renaissance that will embrace a Victorian Theme. 

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