Riker Hill Art Park

Riker Hill Art Park is a former military facility that now combines outdoor sculptures, art installations, and working artist studios across grassy grounds. The property features natural walking paths that wind through the landscape alongside exhibition spaces and creative workshops.

The site operated as a Nike Missile tracking station during the Cold War in the 1950s. Essex County purchased the property in 1974 and transformed it into the artist community and nature reserve it is today.

Working studios throughout the park allow visitors to watch artists create paintings, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and photography in real time. These creative spaces make the art-making process visible and accessible to anyone walking through the grounds.

The park opens daily from sunrise to sunset with free admission to all sculptures and walking paths. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the grounds are spacious and exploring the various areas takes several hours.

A hidden section contains some of the smallest dinosaur tracks ever discovered and is generally not open to visitors. This geological feature reveals that the site holds far older stories than its recent artistic transformation.

Location: New Jersey

GPS coordinates: 40.81090,-74.31810

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:40