Station Review #74: Branch Brook Park (NJT)


Branch Brook Park is a station on NJT's Grove Street branch of the Newark Light Rail (NLR), located at 5th Street in the city of Newark, New Jersey. Branch Brook Park is the final station on the Grove Street line in Newark. 

History

Before Branch Brook Park, there was Franklin Avenue and Heller Parkway stations. Franklin Avenue used to be the terminus station, with a loop for the PCCs used on the Newark Light Rail. 

In 2001, NJT phased out usage of the PCCs, and in doing so went through with a planned extension to Bloomfield. This required Franklin Avenue station to be rebuilt. Considering that Franklin Avenue and Heller Parkway stations were extremely close to eachother, NJT decided to hit two birds with one stone and merge both stations into one station. This new station was near Branch Brook Park, the largest park in Newark, so what better to call the station than Branch Brook Park? 

Today, the remains of Heller Parkway station is still able to be seen, as well as part of the remains of Franklin Avenue. 

Tour

When it comes to Newark Light Rail stations, Branch Brook Park is pretty different than the average station. It is immediately before/after a pretty nasty curve, however. 

NJT kiosks and possibly former newspaper vendors? 

You can see the remnants of Franklin Avenue in the distance 

The extremely long accessible ramp to the platform

The Spanish Solution (that was invented in Catalonia) is alive and well at Branch Brook Park, maybe? 

I think there is an attendant in that small room in the picture

I'm pretty sure there's supposed to be a schedule of some kind under that NJT sign? 

Bus Connections 

Branch Brook Park has a couple of bus connections. These bus connections include:

• 27 - Bloomfield to Irvinton via Newark 
• 74 - Branch Brook Park to Paterson via Passaic
• 90 - Branch Brook Park to Hilton Bus Maintenance Facility via Grove Street
• 92 - Branch Brook Park to South Orange
• 99 - Branch Brook Park to Hillside

Points of Interest near Branch Brook Park Station


Besides the giant aforementioned park, Branch Brook Park station has a lot of TOD. This TOD includes multiple apartment complexes, one of which is over 12 stories tall.

Statistics


Name: Branch Brook Park
Agency: NJT
Line(s): Grove Street Line
Locality: Upper Roseville
City/Township: Newark
County: Essex
State: New Jersey 
Ridership: 1,343 per average weekday (2022)

Amenity Checklist


Accessible: ✓
Bathrooms: ×
Bicycle parking: ✓
Clean Station: ✓
Connections to other transit routes: ✓
Easy passage for each side: ✓
Fare Payment Kiosks (if applicable): ✓
Good Wayfinding: ✓
Indoor Shelters: ×
Maps: ✓
Multiple entrances/exits: ✓
Adequate Parking: ✓
Seating: ✓
Shelters: ✓
Station In Good Condition: ✓
Ticket Kiosks (if applicable): ✓
Ticket Offices: ✓
TOD: ✓
Train Departure/Arrival Info (signs that update/screens): ×
Updated/Useful Signage: ✓

Final Verdict: 8.5/10

It's a little lacking, but does what it's supposed to do

Station Directory

--------Essex County--------
Newark Penn 
Millitary Park
Washington Street
Warren Street/NJIT
Norfolk Street
Orange Street
Park Avenue
Bloomfield Avenue
Davenport Avenue
Branch Brook Park
Silver Lake
Grove Street

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