East Brunswick, NJ

East Brunswick Township is located along the southeast shore of the Raritan River in Middlesex County. It has a population of nearly 47,000 residents with a median age of 39 years. East Brunswick is one of many New Jersey "Brunswicks" - South, North, West and New Brunswick. Still, the city claims to be "the Best Brunswick."

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Historically, East Brunswick had been a farming town. While still considered a suburban area, new developments, as well as an influx of residents from nearby Jersey City and Staten Island, are making the area's landscape significantly more urban. East Brunswick is currently composed of a variety of condominiums, townhouses and single-family luxury homes.

The township is divided into the east side, where the housing is concentrated, and the sparsely settled west side, designated as a Rural Preservation Zone. Retailing is centered on Route 18, including the large Brunswick Square Mall.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

East Brunswick is one of the most rapidly developing cities in New Jersey, with development of commercial properties including office spaces and retail outlets. Recently many national chains, such as a Barnes & Noble outlet, have opened up in the city.

The median income for a household in East Brunswick is $93,196, and about 2.8 percent of the population is below the poverty line. East Brunswick has an unemployment rate of 3.5 percent, which is less than the national average.

East Brunswick is quickly growing to meet the health care needs of the community. This Township currently offers more than 200 doctors representing various specialties. Medical facilities include Accucrara Medical and Pain Management Center, Middlesex Same Day Surgical Center Inc., Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and St. Peter Medical Center.

FAMILY FUN

East Brunswick has approximately 1,000 acres of park grounds, including 11 developed and two undeveloped parks. The parks feature a range of activities including ball fields, picnic areas, fishing, lighted courts, hiking and walking trails, and playgrounds. The Department of Parks and Recreation also hosts a number of organized sports for youth and adults.

• Crystal Springs Family Aquatic Center offers a community pool, tennis and volleyball courts, a preschool playground, walking trails, picnic areas, and a skate park.
• Great Oak Park offers visitors a butterfly sanctuary, picnic areas and playgrounds for younger and older children.
• Jamesburg Park serves as a conservation area to protect the Old Bridge Sands aquifer and preserve the area's flora and fauna.
• Ireland Brook Park is a conservation area spanning 1,000 acres of land from East Brunswick to South Brunswick.

SHOPPING

Brunswick Square Mall has a variety of department stores including Macy's and JC Penney. This shopping center also features 65 specialty stores, multiple dining options and a 13-screen movie theater.

FOR VISITORS

Old Bridge, in northern East Brunswick, was the home of the Lenape Native Americans prior to the 1600s and was home to the first European settlers in the area. Now, Old Bridge is on the National Register of Historic Places.

BEST BETS

• Veterans Monument. This granite statue of the American flag looks as if it is waving in the wind. This monument honors all those who served in the military and has become the town's most visited attraction. Additionally, the Veterans Monument has won the prestigious Robert B. Kinsey Award for its unique style.
• Tower Center Complex includes the two tallest buildings in Central New Jersey: a 23-story office building and a 15-story Hilton Hotel.
• Mary Murray Ferry is a landmark on the Raritan River and can be seen from the turnpike. The Mary Murray is a former Staten Island Ferry that was sold to George Searle in the 1970s and was moved to this area shortly after he purchased it.
• Tamarack Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-71 course.
• East Brunswick Museum was established by the East Brunswick Historical Society in order to preserve the history of the area. The first Library of the town, now renamed the Appleby-DeVoe Memorial Library, serves as the museum's archival center.

EVENTS

• Middlesex County Fair began in 1938 and has been held annually since. The entire fair is put on the by volunteers, and features 4-H events, activities, food, entertainment, rides and games. It is held at the County Fair Grounds.
• Playhouse 22 is a community theater providing entertainment to the residents of East Brunswick. Auditions are open to all interested community members, and performances run throughout the year. The Playhouse also hosts an annual young musician's concert.
• Visual Arts League Arts Festival, held annually at East Brunswick's municipal complex, features more than 100 local artists. Artists can enter their works in the festival's arts competition and the festival offers them a venue to sell their wares to the community. The works of student artists are the latest addition to the festival's roster.
• Titans of Song. This music event celebrates two local figures from the community as well as the cultural advancement and diversity in the town. The Titans of Song event is held at the East Brunswick Library; admission is free.

EDUCATION

East Brunswick has eight public elementary schools, two middle/junior high schools, and one high school. Students attending East Brunswick public schools recently scored above the United States average on standardized tests. The township also offers six private schools serving pre-K through eighth grade.

LOCAL MEDIA

• WSNR 620 AM; ethnic
• WOR 710 AM; talk
• WABC 770 AM; news
• WEPN 1050 AM; sports

• WXRK 92.3 FM; rock
• WQXR 96.3 FM; classical
• WMGQ 98.3 FM; contemporary
• WQCD 101.9 FM; jazz

• WCBS Channel 2 CBS
• WNBC Channel 4 NBC
• WABC Channel 7 ABC

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