Pines Lake, New Jersey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pines Lake, New Jersey
Census-designated place
Pines Lake, New Jersey Location in Passaic County, New Jersey Show map of Passaic County, New Jersey Pines Lake, New Jersey Location in New Jersey Show map of New Jersey Pines Lake, New Jersey Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New Jersey
County	Passaic
Township	Wayne
Area
• Total	1.64 sq mi (4.24 km2)
• Land	1.34 sq mi (3.48 km2)
• Water	0.29 sq mi (0.76 km2)
Elevation	246 ft (75 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,033
• Density	2,260.06/sq mi (872.31/km2)
ZIP Code	07470
FIPS code	34-58860
GNIS feature ID	0882022

Pines Lake is a special community located around a beautiful lake in Wayne. It is part of Passaic County in the state of New Jersey. This area started as a fun vacation spot in the 1920s.

The lake itself is man-made and is about 1.5 miles long and 0.5 miles wide. Many of the first homes built here were cool log cabins. Some of these cabins, made from American chestnut trees in the 1930s, are still lived in today! Over time, Pines Lake grew into a neighborhood with about 500 suburban homes. Kids living here go to Pines Lake School for elementary grades and then to Wayne Hills High School.

Exploring Pines Lake and Its Surroundings

Pines Lake has some unique features that make it a great place to explore.

The Glen: A Hidden Gem

One interesting part of Pines Lake is a one-lane road that goes over the dam. From this road, you can look down into "the Glen." This is a deep, narrow valley that is kept as a park. It's a cool spot where you might find rare tiger salamanders and native ferns. Sometimes, people have even found old marine fossils in the Glen and around the lake!

Native American History in Pines Lake

Before European settlers arrived, the Lenape Native Americans lived in the Pines Lake area. You can still see signs of them, like stone mounds, in the forests and undeveloped parts of Pines Lake. Many of the roads around the lake are named after different Native American tribes to honor them. These names include Osceola Road, Iroquois Trail, Algonquin Trail, and Mohawk Trail.

Plants and Trees Around the Lake

Even though it's called Pines Lake, there aren't many natural pine trees here. The area is mostly covered with black oak, white oak, and red oak trees. You'll also see pretty flowering dogwoods and American beech trees. There are some groups of tall Eastern hemlocks that might have been mistaken for pine trees a long time ago. The Glen area has many old oaks, hemlocks, and beech trees, plus American sycamores along the stream.

Fun and Community Life at Pines Lake

Pines Lake is known for its active community and lots of fun things to do, especially around the lake!

Activities on the Lake

The community has several beaches right on the lake, perfect for swimming. People also enjoy playing tennis and sailing. Sunny Ridge Beach is one popular spot for residents nearby. If you're a member of the private association, you can go fishing (catch and release only). The lake is stocked with fish like large-mouth bass, sunfish, and Northern pike. You'll also see many birds like mallards, coots, swans, and other ducks and herons.

Community Events and Celebrations

Every year, around July 4th, the community holds a big celebration. A highlight is the "Baby" Parade, where children dress up in costumes, ride decorated bikes, or sit on homemade floats. The parade ends with a picnic by the beach. Kids living in Pines Lake can also join a summer program with supervised play and learning activities. Another popular event is the annual Lobster Bash, hosted by the Sailing Club, which always sells out! These events and more happen at the South Beach Pavilion, built in the 1980s. Pines Lake also has a local swimming team that many people support.

Laurelwood Arboretum: A Nature Escape

The Pines Lake community is also home to Laurelwood Arboretum, a 30-acre area full of different kinds of plants. Laurelwood has woodland trails and gardens, wildlife, two ponds, and streams. You can see hundreds of types of rhododendrons, azaleas, and other unique plants and trees. There are gravel paths that wind through the Arboretum, making it a great place for hikers, runners, birdwatchers, plant lovers, and photographers. Laurelwood Arboretum used to be a plant nursery, but now it's a public park. It's cared for by the Township of Wayne and a non-profit group called Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum, Inc (FOLA).

Pines Lake Population

As of the 2020 United States census in 2020, about 3,033 people lived in Pines Lake.