Nature's Classroom - Learning from Brookdale Park

by Jacoba Coes

We use our park for so many things—sports, concerts, the playground and archery to name a few. Often the park’s natural beauty becomes a backdrop, but there are so many natural wonders to observe and delight in. The next time you visit the park, wander over to two of my favorites. Our park can inspire you to discover new things; hopefully you will join me in observing nature, doing some research and then declaring “I was this many years old when I learned…”

Native Plant Gardens restore the environment

In Brookdale we have many native plant gardens—The Pollinator Garden, the Overlook, and the Playground Gardens among them.  To be honest, a few years ago I didn’t get what the big deal was with native plants. But when I walked through the Pollinator Garden, it was  teeming with insects, butterflies, birds and other wildlife. I was hooked! Take a walk in the late afternoon and you might catch a glimpse of the ruby-throated hummingbird swooping in to drink nectar or you may witness butterflies laying eggs or zone out to the mesmerizing hum of our 300 native bees gathering pollen and nectar. I understand so clearly that these gardens are restoring the ecosystem which is vital to our future.  It is so important I’m gardening for wildlife at home too.

You might be thinking well that’s fine for her, but I don’t need to do anything in my space.  Take 12 minutes and watch this inspirational Ted Talk by Rebecca McMakin - she makes the need to act so clear.  Create wild habitat, even a few plants make an impact.

The Rose Garden has a Hurricane Katrina Survivor

Even a native plant geek like me has a place in my heart and garden for a cultivated rose!  Visit the Rose Garden that was added to the park in 1959 by the County and the North Jersey Rose Society.

Nestled in the left hand corner as you enter the garden is my favorite rose, a lush, thornless climber with clusters of pink flowers.  It is named Peggy Martin after a woman who lived in Plaquemines Parish across the Mississippi from New Orleans.  This rose was among her large collection of old roses.  Katrina put 20 feet of salt water in her garden for two weeks - the only surviving rose was this one. It was brought into cultivation to support a fund established for the restoration of parks and green spaces devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Peggy Martin rose blooms in the park in late spring.

Here are some other wonders of nature I have found in Brookdale Park.  (click the links to learn more)


Clearing out the spillway below the Overlook has created a vernal pool area in the field below.  

Habitat Restoration!


2023 Mast Year = 2024 lots of baby oaks


Buckeye buds are nature’s origami. Check out a mature leaf


Activities for the whole family

Visit the Rose Garden and join Don McLoughlin, Conservancy Chairman, Master Gardener and his volunteer team for:

Q&A Office Hours 9-11am on:
-Wed 5/16 (rescheduled from 5/15 due to weather)

Tours & Office Hours:
-Wed 5/22
-Sat 6/1

All Tours begin at 9, 10 and 11am
Don will conduct tours and answer your questions in-between tours. 

 Visit us in the Native Plant Pollinator Garden on 6/22 to learn more from our experts - Jean Greeley, Founder, Master Gardener and Environmental Steward and Susan and John Landau Ambassadors for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.


Jacoba, a Brookdale Park Conservancy trustee, volunteers in the park throughout the year. With a rich Dutch heritage, she brings a unique cultural influence to her work. Transitioning from a retail career, Jacoba now focuses on learning about horticultural therapy, gardening and contributing to the BPC Education and Outreach team.