Jeff B.
Yelp
(Visited 12/07/2022 WE @ 11:00am... and several times before and after): Apparently... we're pursuing squirrels at this field park!
Since my dear friend moved to Jersey City last year along with a furry family member we shared during the pandemic lockdown in 2020, she found Pershing Field Park as the new place in her neighborhood to take Rasputin, a Scottish Terrier, on one of his adventurous walks. Named for General John J. Pershing, nicknamed "Black Jack", who served most famously as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on the Western Front during World War I. We have since playfully nicknamed this place, "Squirrel Park", for the abundance of these fuzzy-tailed rodents he would maniacally pull and tug on his leash as he excitedly chased after them https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=mR1fKuAnp0j3MhZPKgChdQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. It also seemed to be very dog-friendly although I couldn't recall seeing any posted signs to acknowledge this. Obviously, the little black beast loved this place, but what about us humans!?
PURCHASE
Sorry, there was nothing to buy here. I didn't even see any street vendors unlike the abundance I would see back in L.A.
SERVICE
Of the several times I've visited the park, I've never seen any staff members or workers cleaning or tending to the various facilities (e.g. bathrooms, fields, general grounds, pool, trashcans, etc.). Thankfully, everything appeared to be well-kept generally speaking, except for the bathrooms which were always an issue at any public park wherever you went.
PARKING (FREE; N/A this instance)
A simple 10-minute one-way walk from my friend's place. Otherwise, there was a small onsite lot, and there seemed to be sufficient street parking along the main drag of Central Ave. and all surrounding roads - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A spacious city square corner and park located in The Heights, this had most if not all or more of what you'd expect from such a place. From open spaces, grassy field, oval running track, baseball field, basketball court, tennis courts https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=g2BS61DWG-FtY0oWI2GLBw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, plenty of walking pathways https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=TFhigo921QNxiSSTS7s80Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw, and even a recreation center along with a pool and ice rink, plus, a children playground - whew! In addition, there was a nice Vietnam Veterans Memorial community Center https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=_d3XRPltFQJVfhZK8ZyRaw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw with many commemorations memorials to fallen service individuals since World War I marked by a lovely archway https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=tuOxZ5MdJunS8pYsa2qevA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. And, there was this fun little literary post https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=CHUqdmAeJsnpwoRQGWXgyA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. Furthermore, there were plenty of trees and squirrels https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=3Wb1IsMqXDRTn8HJi5pZ-w&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw! Obviously, there was plenty of natural lighting (duh!) while electric lights illuminated the playing fields. There weren't any TVs while the confluence of exercising people, playing children, random chatter, vehicular traffic, and more, filled the background.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops... if it weren't so freakin' cold.
OVERALL
I found Pershing Field Park very pleasing, relaxing, and such a joy for our fuzzy alligator, and would continue to visit it for years to come. It was in a safe area, and I would like to see how it was during the warmer months (I imagined more robust activities) versus the colder winter months when I visited. And darn it... Rasputin loved chasing the squirrels! I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, because there was nothing to buy, they didn't accept any form of payment that included my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS