Best Parks for Family Photos in Westfield, NJ and Beyond

Planning an outdoor family photoshoot in the Westfield, NJ area, but need some help choosing the perfect park? You’re in luck! As a local photographer, I’ve been capturing families in the area for over 10 years. Over time, I’ve become an expert at finding the perfect parks for portraits. From stunning scenery to parks with the best natural light (which changes with the seasons, by the way!), I know just the spots. So, check out my list of favorite local parks for taking amazing family photos!

Best Parks at A Glance – Westfield, NJ Area

1. Mindowaskin Park, Westfield, NJ
2. Tamaques Park, Westfield, NJ
3. Lenape Park, Westfield, NJ
4. Echo Lake Park, Mountainside, NJ
5. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ
6. Oak Ridge Park, Clark, NJ
7. Waranaco Park, Elizabeth, NJ
8. Nomahegan Park, Cranford, NJ
9. Briant Park, Springfield, NJ

Mindowaskin Park, Westfield, NJ

What I Like:

• Convenient location for local families and close to downtown
• Mix of nature, beauty, and unique features, including a bridge and pond
• Ample parking on site
• Great in all seasons – from lush greenery in Summer to great fall foliage, and even beautiful in winter with snow

Things to Know:

• Weekends can get busy, especially during fall and spring
• Watch for seasonal geese droppings 

Situated in the heart of Westfield, Mindowaskin Park is a favorite choice for local families seeking a convenient, nearby spot to take family portraits.

Standout features of this quaint park include a serene pond, charming bridge, classic iron lamp posts, and walking paths, which add an element of interest to your images. The park also has weeping willow trees that I love incorporating to add interesting texture to images. Plus, the park’s close proximity to town may appeal to families looking to turn family picture day into a fun afternoon or evening outing by grabbing a bite to eat after their session at one of the many family-friendly restaurants or bakeries.

Grab a Delicious Dinner or Tasty Treat After Your Westfield Photoshoot

I’m a big fan of bribes if it works with your kids and I tell parents to plan an after-session treat that everyone will enjoy. Here are some family-friendly options:

• Vickis Diner
• Cosimos Italian Restaurant (our favorite for tri-color salads and margherita pizza)
• Farinilio (try their yummy sandwiches on freshly baked schiacciata)
• Westfield Diner
• Tinga Taqueria
• Bovella’s Pastry Shoppe
• Kershernbaum Baking Company
• Victoria’s Cake
• Mochimoly
• Casa Gourment by Cabreras
• Cold Stone Creamery

Watch out for duck and geese droppings, especially during early springtime.  Fall weekends can be a busy time for family photos at the park so if you’re looking for a more secluded location this may not be ideal. 

It’s also worth mentioning that the Mindowaskin Playground, which is fantastic draw for an afternoon family outing, might not be ideal if you have young children who might be distracted.

Tip: If your kids are used to visiting Mindowaskin Park to enjoy the playground, be sure to set expectations ahead of time that you’ll be taking pictures.

And if you haven’t been to this park before, I suggest entering from East Broad street and parking next to the police station (across from the gazebo) and avoiding the park entrance on East Euclid Street near the playground.

Address: 385 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ

Tamaques Park, Westfield, NJ

What I Like:

• Great for fall foliage and a wooded setting
• Nearby for residents of Westfield, Scotch Plains and the surrounding area
• Ample parking on site
• Favorite season for photos at Tamaques is fall

Things to Know:

There’s a small playground and swings next to the pond so this location may not be ideal for families with young kids who might prefer to play on the jungle gym rather than take pictures.

Tamaques Park on Lamberts Mill Road is Westfield’s largest park, sprawling over 106 acres. The park boasts multiple features including picnic areas, basketball, tennis, and shuffleboard courts, playing fields, playground areas, and a pond. Tucked away on the far end of the park is a wooded area with scenic trails and a small stream that offer a quiet setting away from the other activities. The colorful foliage in October and early November make fall my favorite season for family photos at this location.

Address: Tamaques Way off of Lamberts Mill Road

Lenape Park, Westfield-Cranford-Kenilworth, NJ

What I Like:

• A nice paved path through wooded area
• A hidden pond
• Favorite season for Lenape is fall, but there’s a spot that works well in spring and summer too

Things to Know:

• May require a short 5-10-minute walk, depending on where you enter the park and where you choose to take photos
• Limited amount of open space

I first discovered Lenape Park while on a walk in Nomahegan park in Cranford many years ago. The park actually spans four towns, including Westfield, Springfield, Kenilworth, and Cranford, and is linked by a crosswalk to Nomahegan Park. Lenape Park is a 450-acre wildlife reserve with a paved path and a pond.

The path stretches from Mountainside Police Headquarters in Mountainside, through Echo Lake Park in Westfield, Lenape Park in Westfield and Cranford, Black Brook Park in Kenilworth, and ends near 505 North Michigan Avenue in Kenilworth.

Address: 130 Kenilworth Boulevard Cranford, NJ

Echo Lake Park, Mountainside, NJ

What I Like:

• Multiple locations for photos
• Large pond
• Wide open green fields
• Wooded trails
• Great fall color

Things to Know:

• Weekends can be especially busy in warmer weather and during peak fall foliage
• Parking lots sometimes fill up, especially if there is a birthday party or other event taking place near the pond
• Fishermen and paddle boats make the area by the pond and boathouse busier in summer and early fall

A short drive from Westfield, Echo Lake Park provides a stunning natural canvas with its large lake, lush greenery, and diverse walking paths. Whether you prefer the backdrop of the lake, an open grassy field, or wooded areas, there are plenty of options.

Address: 1028 Springfield Ave, Mountainside, NJ 

Nomahegan Park, Cranford, NJ

What I Like:

• Pretty cherry blossom trees in Spring, a nice wooden bridge, and a pond
• Wooded area and surprise spot with little yellow flowers that bloom in late March / early April.
• Onsite parking and restrooms are available

Things to Know:

• Very crowded in Spring and Fall, especially on weekends
• Park road adjacent to flowering trees and pond isn’t an ideal background, depending on time of day and available light
• Parking lot sometimes fills up. Overflow parking along the park road is permitted.

Nomahegan Park has always been one of my favorite parks having taken countless family walks there over many years. It has a nice walking path that winds by the pond, through wooded areas and over a small bridge and is especially pretty in Spring when the cherry blossoms bloom (typically mid March- early April.) As much as I love this location, the close proximity to Springfield Avenue and neighboring roads that cut through the park contribute to crowds. For that reason, it’s not my first choice for families with young kids but works well for teen or maternity sessions.

Address: 995 Springfield Ave., Cranford, NJ

Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ

What I Like:

• Multiple locations to choose from ranging from woods to open areas
• Plenty of onsite parking
• Restrooms are available across from The Loop Playground
• Great in all seasons

Things to Know:

• Events are sometimes held by the Loop Playground and at the nearby Trailside Center so I recommend checking the calendar of events before booking your photoshoot.

Prefer a more expansive and rustic setting? If you’re an outdoorsy family, you’ll love Watchung Reservation – a vast nature reserve with wooded trails. The natural beauty and serene ambiance make it the perfect place to create timeless memories with your loved ones. Not far from the Trailside Center you can also find a small field that occasionally gets a scattering of purple and white Queen Anne Lace wildflowers in mid-summer.

Address: West R Tracy Drive, or 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ

Oak Ridge Park, Clark, NJ

What I Like:

• Nice walking paths, beautiful fall foliage and pretty light
• A variety of scenery and trees including a few cherry blossom trees in spring
• Plenty of open space
• Great location in all seasons

Things to Know:

• Spring and summer events are sometimes scheduled at Oak Ridge Park so I recommend checking the calendar of events before booking your photoshoot.

Looking for wide-open spaces mixed in with some great fall foliage or summer greenery? Oak Ridge Park is a great option if you want to let your kids have freedom to explore away from parking lots and roads. This a serene and scenic park actually spans 90 acres and was once a golf course. The parks multiple paved walking paths, wide-open grassy fields are perfect for lifestyle photo sessions. Located next to the parking lot is the historic Homestead Farm, which can add a bit of a rustic vibe to your photos too.

Address: 201 Oak Ridge Road, Clark, NJ 

Warinanco Park, Elizabeth, NJ

What I Like:

• Beautiful park with many cherry blossom and magnolia trees that bloom in spring
• Open areas, winding paths, and a pond all make for a lovely setting
• A bit closer to Westfield than Branch Brook Park in Newark if you’re looking to see cherry blossoms closer to home
• My favorite season for photos is Spring

Things to Know:

• Very busy spot for maternity, teen, and family photos in spring-though not quite as crazy as weekends at Branch Brook Park during peak cherry blossom season. You’ll need to be flexible and share the space with other families and photographers.
• Parking can be a challenge

Situated in nearby Roselle and Elizabeth, Warinanco Park offers 204 acres including tranquil lakes, lush meadows, and scenic walking paths, in addition to multiple playing fields. Whether you’re strolling along the waterfront or exploring the park’s hidden corners, you’ll find countless opportunities for capturing family moments in a picturesque setting.

Springtime is a showstopper when cherry blossoms and magnolia trees bloom. But be prepared for crowds and sharing space with other photographers. Weekday evenings, while still busy, are a bit better and my preferred time to schedule a session. Although there are multiple parking lots, they often fill up on weekends, especially during spring and fall. Be prepared to park along the one-way road that circles through Warinanco Park.

Address: Warinanco Park Roadway, Elizabeth, NJ

Briant Park, Springfield, NJ

What I Like:

• Large park with walking paths, a stream, small bridge, and a low stone wall
• Mix of wide-open spaces and wooded trails
• Favorite seasons for photos – late summer and fall

Things to Know:

• Grass sometimes grows a bit tall and some spots can get very water-logged after a rainy day
• I’ve also been there when certain spots had lots of grass clippings
• Pond has a lot of degree and algae overgrowth
• There’s no parking lot, but parking is available on either Briant Parkway or Morris Ave.
• Two porta potties are available

Briant Park offers a delightful escape for families. Open space abounds, with both sunny meadows and shaded areas. A charming gazebo, a peaceful pond, and a serene wooded area provide a variety of backdrops for pictures. There’s a well-paved, roughly one-mile loop path that is popular for runners and walkers alike. The park even caters to fitness enthusiasts with a dedicated fitness trail.

The pond itself teems with wildlife – I’ve even spotted a majestic blue heron there on occasion. However, it’s important to note that the pond might not be ideal for incorporating into your photos due to occasional excess vegetation and debris. On a brighter note, a small stream winds its way towards the pond, offering a charming spot for rock skipping or simply observing tadpoles.

Address: 301 Shunpike Rd., Springfield, NJ

Do you have a favorite park in the Westfield, NJ area? Let me know in the comments below? If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy Family-Friendly Hikes in New Jersey.

Ready to schedule a photoshoot at one of these parks? I’d love to connect and capture your family! Get in touch here!