Rich in history, the Borough of New Providence, NJ dates back to 1720 when it was known as "Turkey Town." Today, within its three and one half square mile border, New Providence is a gracious tree-lined community, which still cherishes the emblems of a worthy past.

Turkey Town enjoyed a name change more than a century ago. The choir loft of the Presbyterian Church collapsed into the pews on an early Sunday morning. No one was yet in attendance at service, which caused the Pastor to remark that it was "providential" that the collapse occurred when it did injuring no one. He suggested a name change for the town because of the providence of God. Henceforth the town was known as New Providence.

Recreation

With three playgrounds, an ice skating rink, eight ball fields, and eight tennis courts available to New Providence, NJ residents, there is always something to do in town.

Additionally, two approximately Olympic sized swimming pools are open during the summer. The New Providence Community Pool is located at 1378 Springfield Avenue and can be reached at (908) 464-414.

The New Providence Memorial Library offers over 70,000 volumes of books for readers of all ages and has an excellent children's section. It is located at 377 Elkwood Avenue and reachable by phone at 908-665-0311.

The Recreation Department in New Providence, NJ is always working hard to plan events and activities for their residents. Such events can be found on their regularly updated website: http://www.newprov.org/recreation/.

Education

The New Providence Public School System has recently ranked in 7th place in overall schools in New Jersey. It consists of two public K-6 schools, one parochial school, one 7th and 8th grade middle school, and one high school. The middle school is adjunct to the high school.

Transportation

One of the unique advantages in New Providence, NJ is the convenience of having two train stations: the New Province Train Station and the Murray Hill Train Station. The New Providence, NJ station serves the Gladstone Branch line with service to Hoboken Terminal and to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan via Secaucus Junction. The MH station serves the Gladstone Branch line only.

Parking permits are available to New Providence residents at both stations and can be obtained by calling the NP Clerks Office at (908) 665-1400.

Local Shopping

At the heart of New Providence, NJ, Springfield Avenue and South Street are lined with several dining and shopping options. Dining spots include Friendly's, Jose's Mexican Cantina, and the Prestige Diner among many others.

The farmers market in New Providence takes place on Wednesday afternoons during the summer months and into the fall in the parking lot of the Municipal Center on Elwood Avenue.

Worship

There is a wide variety of houses of worship of an array of denominations that one may choose from when moving to New Providence, such as:

• Faith Lutheran Church
  524 South Street
  908-464-5177
  www.famfaith.org
• Our Lady of Peace Church
  111 South Street
  908-464-7600
  www.ourladyofpeaceparish.org/
  www.ourladyofpeaceparish.org/schoollink.htm
• Presbyterian Church at New Providence
  1307 Springfield Avenue
  908-665-0050
  www.pcnp.org
• St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
  419 South Street
  908-464-4875
  www.standrewschurch.org
• St. Luke's Reformed Episcopal Church
  260 South Street
  908-464-1945
  www.stlukesrecnj.org
• United Methodist Church of New Providence
  1441 Springfield Avenue
  908-464-5535
  www.gbgm-umc.org/npumcnj