Randolph New Jersey Community Information
Randolph is a town rooted in rich history and culture, and blessed with gorgeous sceneries. If you want to live in the country but still have the conveniences found in the metro, you’ve come to the right place.
A largely residential community, it has a total population of 26,043, and average family size of 3.35, and a median per capita income of $54 437 (Randolph Township 2008 Annual Report). This 22 square mile town is nested on New Jersey’s Highlands and is a haven for nature lovers for its lush forests, hills, ponds, and lakes. Pick one fine day, hike up the mountains, and you can see NYC.
Randolph’s history tells us that it was established before Morris County was. Today, old farmhouses scattered around the town shows its history as a largely farming community. It was not until the last 25 years when many developments occurred. There are several known sections of Randolph that includes Mount Freedom, Center Grove, Fernbrook, Ironia, and Shomgum. It is a common belief that Mount Freedom was where George Washington would take privacy to ponder about the war, thus getting its name.
The township also prides itself with the best recreational facilities, which includes parks, and sports facilities among others. Transportation is also easy. Just 32 miles west of NYC, it’s easy to get to places with Route 10 connecting Interstates 80 and 287. Trains and airport are also within reach.
Township of Randolph
502 Millbrook Ave.
Randolph, NJ 07869-3799
Randolph New Jersey Wikipedia
The town was inhabited by the Lenni Lenape Indians, settled by Quakers, and served as a supply point for Washington’s army during its winter in nearby Jockey Hollow. Many of the descendants of our original settlers still live here on roads that bear their family names. The township’s historical landmarks include the Liberty Tree that began growing in 1720, the 1869 Bryant Distillery (famed for its apple jack!), and the 1924 Millbrook School, now rehabilitated and in use as offices. One of our oldest streets, Gristmill Road (a must see in spring when the apple trees bloom), is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Many of Randolph’s early settlers were Quakers. Several were farmers who grew grain, flax, and hemp, and raised cattle and sheep. Some mined iron ore or operated forges. By the mid-1700s, a significant Presbyterian population had also settled here. The pacifist Quakers and the patriot Presbyterians coexisted uneasily during the Revolution. The Quakers felt persecuted, since New Jersey law required those refusing military service to pay a fine of fifty shillings a month or risk confiscation of their property.
In 1713, New Jersey’s first iron mine was registered and it was located in Randolph. The iron mines in the township supplied the Revolutionary forces with necessary ore for tools and weapons. The iron industry, which continued to thrive for the next 200 years, played an important part in the development of Randolph. Situated upstream of the Black River, the South branch of the Raritan River, the Whippany River, and the Rockaway River, the iron hills of Randolph attracted settlers and its streams provided power for industry.
Before the Revolution, water-powered industries were operating in Combs Hollow and in the Quaker community of Millbrook, also known as Mott Hollow. By the early 1800s, small industries along the Mill Brook were processing textiles and manufacturing hats, rope and barrels. Mott Hollow’s oil mill, which produced linseed oil from flax, was one of only two in Morris County in 1821.
Once part of Mendham, a separate Randolph Township was incorporated on November 13, 1805. At that time, it included the areas that are now Dover, Wharton, Mine Hill and Victory Gardens. Taking its name from Hartshorne Fitz-Randolph, a Quaker who was one of the first settlers and largest landowners, the township adopted the Fitz-Randolph family’s coat-of-arms as its official insignia in 1972.
Following the Civil War, local industries declined, as less expensive products from larger urban manufacturers became readily available. Despite a brief boom in iron mining around Ironia in the 1870s, Randolph reverted to a largely agricultural economy. Inexpensive land attracted newcomers. Jewish families, disillusioned with urban life, came here from New York City around 1900. They established farms and a vital community that exists today. At this time, Randolph also started becoming a popular resort community. Two of its largest resorts, Ackerman’s Hotel and Saltz’s Hotel, survived into the 1970s.
Randolph saw little growth and some decline in population during the early 20th century. In the 1940s, the population began rising sharply, a trend that continued for fifty years. Route 10, which became a state highway through Randolph in 1931, contributed to the influx, especially when it was widened later in the century. Despite this, substantial tracts of undeveloped land remained, including the hills and fields that became the campus of County College of Morris in 1968.
Though Randolph’s landscape continued to change, especially during the 1990s when much development occurred, it still has many acres of open space and parkland. Throughout the municipality, old farmhouses, mills and other historic structures remind of us Randolph’s heritage as an agricultural and rural industrial community.
Randolph New Jersey Recreation
Brundage Park Recreation Complex (232 acres)
Location: Carrell Road, between Center Grove and Millbrook
Provides various recreation opportunities. The facilities include six lighted tennis courts, four lighted softball fields, two lighted basketball courts, a tennis practice wall, a Skate Park, a 4-mile paved walking and jogging trail, and the Brundage Park Playhouse. A large playground and picnic pavilion are located in the heart of the complex and the pavilion may be reserved through the Parks and Recreation Department for groups of 50 or more. The Brundage Park Preserve, located just east of the main complex, has a lacrosse/soccer field and trails for walking and nature observation. The small pond is used for fishing and ice skating. The southern section, Brundage Park at Sussex Turnpike, has a softball field and a large multi-purpose area for soccer and other field sports. The entrance to this area is located approximately 1/2 mile west of Calais Road on Sussex Turnpike.
Freedom Park (172 acres)
Location: Millbrook Avenue
An extraordinary site once part of the Brundage family estate. This new park offers seven athletic fields including two used for football and lacrosse, one Little League and one Babe Ruth baseball field (all with lights). Other fields include a multi-purpose area and a softball field. The park also features a picnic pavilion, walking and biking trails, sand volleyball court and a large playground area. Freedom Park connects with Brundage Park on Carrell Road and is also surrounded by James Andrews County Park, creating a 1,000-acre green belt of parkland. Group picnics and special events are held in the park year-round.
Randolph Park (41 acres)
Location: Off Green Lane
The main attraction at this active recreation area is a beautiful beach which includes a beach house with a changing room, a refreshment stand, picnic facilities for small and large groups, a playground area, permanent docks for lap swimming, a volleyball court and a basketball court. The public beach is open for daily visitation for a fee of $5.00 per person for residents and $7.00 for non-residents. Seasonal beach memberships are available for resident and non-resident families and individuals. Group rates are available for large groups. A separate picnic area can be set up by special arrangement. In addition to the lake, the park has a baseball field used for Senior and Junior Babe Ruth baseball.
Heistein Park (44 acres)
Location: South Road and Doby Road
This active recreation area includes six soccer fields and four Little League/softball fields used by both children and adults, a large picnic pavilion, restrooms and a refreshment stand. A lake area encircled by the township’s bike trail provides a great setting for fishing and picnicking in warm weather months and ice skating in the winter.
Stonybrook Park (30 acres)
Location: Park Avenue
Used as a day camp site from June through August. The site is divided by Park Avenue which creates east and west sections. The western portion includes a large field used by many of our youth recreation programs. The eastern portion is the day camp area and includes a swimming pool, small tot-lot and various buildings for camp activities. The camp section of the park is closed to the general public because the township leases this area to a private operator.
Kiwanis Park (1.8 acres)
Location: Calumet Road
Facilities include playground equipment for children, an open play area and picnic tables.|
Timber Lane Park (1.2 acres)
A neighborhood park with a small playground and play area that can be used for picnics.
VFW Memorial Park
Location: Carrell Road
A monument dedicated in memory of veterans of foreign wars is located here. This is the site of the township’s VFW building where special teen events and activities are held.
Rosenfarb Park
Location: On the corner of Salem Street and Franklin Road
Facilities include a 1/2 court basketball court, picnic area and benches.
Hidden Valley Park (51 acres)
Location: Everdale Road
On a beautiful site overlooking the Millbrook Valley. Features rolling hills, a pond and natural walking trails. The township’s walking and biking trail traverses the site. It is anticipated this park will remain a passive recreation area used for Boy and Girl Scout camping.
Cohen Farm Park
Location: Center Grove Road
This is an 111-acre undeveloped area. The township’s 16-mile trail system cuts through the park and connects to Brundage and Freedom Park.
Combs Hollow and Clyde Potts Open Space
Comprised of 167 and 84 acres of magnificent forest and open space. The township’s trail system traverses the properties. Trail heads are located on Combs Hollow, Old Brookside and Dolly Bridge Roads.
Randolph New Jersey School Information
Center Grove School
25 School House Road | Randolph, NJ 07869 | (973) 361-7835
http://www.rtnj.org/CenterGrove.cfm?subpage=32145
Fernbrook Elementary School
206 Quaker Church Road | Randolph, NJ 07869 | (973) 361-0660
http://www.rtnj.org/Fernbrook.cfm?subpage=32147
Ironia Elementary School
http://www.rtnj.org/Ironia.cfm?subpage=32150
Shongum Elementary School
9 Arrow Place | Randolph, NJ 07869 | (973) 895-2322
http://www.rtnj.org/Shongum.cfm?subpage=32152
Randolph Middle School
507 Millbrook Avenue | Randolph, NJ 07869 | (973) 366-8700 | Fax: (973) 361-6501
http://www.rtnj.org/MiddleSchool.cfm?subpage=32143
Randolph High School Main Office
511 Millbrook Avenue | Randolph, NJ 07869 | (973) 361-2400
http://www.rtnj.org/highschool.cfm?subpage=32141
Randolph Community School
25 School House Road | Randolph, NJ 07869 | (973) 361-0808
http://www.rtnj.org/schools.cfm?subpage=35339
CCM County College of Morris
214 Center Grove Road | Randolph, NJ 07869-2086 | (973) 328-5000 
http://www.ccm.edu/
For Residents: Senior Services
General Information
RANDOLPH SENIOR
CITIZEN CLUB
The Randolph Senior Citizen Club is for all Randolph seniors 60 and over. It meets once a month, generally on the first Tuesday and usually has a speaker or program. The club offers its members twice monthly bingo events, day trips to places such as Atlantic City and various dinner theater venues, as well as overnight trips in the spring and fall. For more information, you may contact it directly by calling Pat Hogan at 973.584.4007.
Randolph’s Community Services Department offers a wide range of activities, events and services to make life a bit easier and more enjoyable for its seniors.
Events & Activities
Events and activities include special “Just For the Fun of It� day trips, monthly outings closer to home, bi-weekly bowling, movie nights, cards, games, and a whole host of other opportunities for seniors to socialize and remain active.
Many of these activities and events take place at the Senior Community Center, located next to the library on Calais Road. The center, which features a multi-purpose room, is also available for rent.
Dial-A-Ride
Randolph’s Dial-A-Ride Program, a much sought after and highly popular service administered by the Community Services Department, provides transportation to and from medical appointments and shopping. This program is offered to residents age 60 and above and disabled adults 18 and above.
Senior ID Card
Are you a Randolph resident age 60 or older? Be rewarded for your longevity with free admission to township sporting events, free swimming at Randolph Lake and free tennis at Brundage Park. Simply present your official Randolph Senior ID card at these venues and you’re in like Flynn. Don’t have one yet? Senior ID cards are issued by the Community Services Department…call 973.989.7084 for more information.
Health & Wellness
The Randolph Health Department conducts periodic screenings and clinics for residents. More information can be found at this Health & Wellness link.
Randolph Motor Vehicle
1572 Sussex Turnpike
Randolph, New Jersey 07869
Randolph Township
Free Public Library
28 Calais Road
Randolph, NJ 07869
Tel: 973.895.3556
http://www.randolphnj.org/library/
Randolph New Jersey Commute and Transportation Information
Lakeland Bus
NJ Transit Train
Local Routes: Route 10 & Route 287
Randolph New Jersey Shopping
Randolph Township has several shopping locations & restaurants.
Party City,Kmart, Dollar Tree, Blockbuster Video, Whitehall Jewelers, Payless Shoe Source, Randolph Dinner,Cluck U Chicken, Little Caesars Pizza,Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Stonefire Grill House & Bar
Randolph New Jersey Map
Randolph New Jersey Weather and Climate
Randolph New Jersey Links
http://www.randolphnj.org/
http://www.randolphnj.org/library/
http://www.rtnj.org/
http://www.recordernewspapers.com/randolph_reporter/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randolph,_New_Jersey
