Oakland, New Jersey
Encyclopedia
Oakland is a borough
in Bergen County
, New Jersey
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,754.
Oakland was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
on April 8, 1902, from portions of Franklin Township.
was built in 1748 and was a stop for George Washington
and his troops in 1777.
From the 1940s through the end of the 1960s a summer bungalow colony was developed in a valley in West Oakland on the Ramapo River
. This was a refuge for a close-knit group of several score families from the summer heat of New York City and urban New Jersey. During the summer months the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad maintained a “West Oakland” passenger station. This colony was located on the road between Oakland and Pompton Lakes
, near a training camp for boxers. In the early morning, it was not unusual to see Joe Louis
or Sugar Ray Robinson
, among others, running past the summer homes.
Most street names in Oakland are those of Native American tribes and Native American first names. Now considered politically incorrect, the borough had a wooden sign posted downtown that read "Once there was Indians all over this place" which had been donated by a resident who insisted on the wording of the sign as having been a quotation from an author.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the borough has a total area of 8.8 square miles (22.8 km²), of which 8.6 square miles (22.3 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), or 1.71%, is water.
of 2000, there were 12,466 people, 4,255 households, and 3,565 families residing in the borough. The population density
was 1,448.9 people per square mile (559.7/km2). There were 4,345 housing units at an average density of 505.0 per square mile (195.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.76% White, 0.78% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races
, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population.
There were 4,255 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.4% were married couples
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.2% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the borough the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $86,629, and the median income for a family was $93,695. Males had a median income of $62,336 versus $41,092 for females. The per capita income
for the borough was $35,252. About 0.9% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office and only votes to break a tie. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
, the Mayor
of the Borough of Oakland is John Szabo. The members of the Oakland Borough Council are Council President Frank DiPentima, Timothy Jensen, Karen Marcalus, Pat Pignatelli, Elizabeth Stagg and Chris Visconti.
There are three firehouses located in Oakland. The central station is located on Yawpo Avenue just off Ramapo Valley Road in downtown Oakland. There is one police station and it is located on Ramapo Valley Road across from the intersection with Walnut Street.
, 2,249 (27.3% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans
and 4,904 (59.4% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared
. There were two voters registered to other parties.
On the national level, Oakland leans towards the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election
, Republican George W. Bush
received 57% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry
, who received around 42%.
. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
) are three K-5 elementary schools — Dogwood Hill School (291 students), Heights Elementary School (433 students) and Manito Elementary School (413 students) — and Valley Middle School which serves grades 6 - 8 (559 students).
Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend the schools of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District
, a regional district consisting of two four-year public high school
s serving students from Franklin Lakes
, Oakland and Wyckoff
. Students in eight grade have the option to choose attend either Indian Hills High School
in Oakland or Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes.
Private schools include Barnstable Academy, located in a business and industrial park off Long Hill Road; The New Jersey Japanese School, located next to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church; and The Gerrard Berman Day School (Solomon Schechter of North Jersey) located on Spruce Street.
(12th) and Echelon
near Philadelphia (4th). The criteria were test scores in math and reading, number of schools, cost of living, recreational and cultural activities, and risk of crime.
, Route 208 and U.S. Route 202
. There is no commuter rail service in Oakland, though commuter bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
in New York City
is available from Coach USA
. New Jersey Transit
bus service
is also available on a limited basis via the 752 line (Oakland to Hackensack via Ridgewood). A freight rail line does run through Oakland.
Newark Liberty International Airport
provides scheduled air service.
is licensed to Oakland.
The Oakland Journal is an online hyper-local news source that covers local political, civic and social events.
, once headquartered in Oakland, is a major manufacturer of teddy bear
s and other gift products, including stuffed animal
s, baby gifts, soft baby toys and development toys as well as picture, candles, figurines and home fragrance products. There are a few industrial parks in Oakland, the biggest of which is off Long Hill Road near the Franklin Lakes
border. Russ Berrie and Company has since moved to Wayne Township
.
) between Oak Street and Franklin Avenue. The Copper Tree Mall (a strip mall with a small indoor section) is one of the dominant retail locations. As part of the current Mayor's plan,(Szabo), to help the downtown,a Walgreens
has opened. On the same location, a Columbia Bank and a Starbucks has opened recently. This new mini-mall is on the corner of Ramapo Valley road (Rt. 202) and West Oakland Avenue. These new locations have helped to increase traffic in what was once a more quiet community.
and softball
fields, six tennis
courts, a roller hockey
rink, basketball
courts, and other facilities. New Jersey's Ramapo Mountain State Forest
is located in Oakland and can be accessed from Skyline Drive
just north of its interchange with I-287.
The "Rec Field" is home to the annual carnival and fireworks that take place during the summer.
Oakland also offers a summer camp which runs for six weeks.
Borough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
in Bergen County
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,754.
Oakland was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
on April 8, 1902, from portions of Franklin Township.
History
The Van Allen HouseVan Allen House
The Van Allen House, is located in Oakland, New Jersey. The house was built around 1740 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1973.-History:...
was built in 1748 and was a stop for George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and his troops in 1777.
From the 1940s through the end of the 1960s a summer bungalow colony was developed in a valley in West Oakland on the Ramapo River
Ramapo River
The Ramapo River is a tributary of the Pompton River, approximately 30 mi long, in southern New York and northern New Jersey in the United States.-Course:...
. This was a refuge for a close-knit group of several score families from the summer heat of New York City and urban New Jersey. During the summer months the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad maintained a “West Oakland” passenger station. This colony was located on the road between Oakland and Pompton Lakes
Pompton Lakes, New Jersey
Pompton Lakes is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 11,097....
, near a training camp for boxers. In the early morning, it was not unusual to see Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
or Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Robinson was an African-American professional boxer. Frequently cited as the greatest boxer of all time, Robinson's performances in the welterweight and middleweight divisions prompted sportswriters to create "pound for pound" rankings, where they compared fighters regardless of weight...
, among others, running past the summer homes.
Most street names in Oakland are those of Native American tribes and Native American first names. Now considered politically incorrect, the borough had a wooden sign posted downtown that read "Once there was Indians all over this place" which had been donated by a resident who insisted on the wording of the sign as having been a quotation from an author.
Muller's Park shootout
On August 4, 1985, a gun shootout occurred at the FRG Sports Complex — formerly known as Muller's Park — directly next to Oakland's former swimming park, Pleasureland, located along the Ramapo River. Some time after 3 p.m. gunfire between rival gangs, who were bused-in from out of town, broke out resulting in two deaths and a number of injuries. Before the incident, Pleasureland was a popular summer destination since the 1950s that attracted families from across the Tri-state area. Both facilities remained open for a brief period, but were eventually shut down as a result of the shootings. While the shootout did not occur at Pleasureland, due to the park's popularity the events remain to this day known as the "Pleasureland Shootout" among townies. Both properties currently remain abandoned with their pools and buildings overgrown as the town continues to decide what to do with the land.Geography
Oakland is located at 41.028884°N 74.237274°W (41.028884, -74.237274).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the borough has a total area of 8.8 square miles (22.8 km²), of which 8.6 square miles (22.3 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²), or 1.71%, is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 12,466 people, 4,255 households, and 3,565 families residing in the borough. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,448.9 people per square mile (559.7/km2). There were 4,345 housing units at an average density of 505.0 per square mile (195.1/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 94.76% White, 0.78% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population.
There were 4,255 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.2% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the borough the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $86,629, and the median income for a family was $93,695. Males had a median income of $62,336 versus $41,092 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the borough was $35,252. About 0.9% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.
Local government
Oakland is governed under the BoroughBorough (New Jersey)
A borough in the context of New Jersey local government refers to one of five types and one of eleven forms of municipal government....
form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office and only votes to break a tie. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.
, the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the Borough of Oakland is John Szabo. The members of the Oakland Borough Council are Council President Frank DiPentima, Timothy Jensen, Karen Marcalus, Pat Pignatelli, Elizabeth Stagg and Chris Visconti.
There are three firehouses located in Oakland. The central station is located on Yawpo Avenue just off Ramapo Valley Road in downtown Oakland. There is one police station and it is located on Ramapo Valley Road across from the intersection with Walnut Street.
Federal, state and county representation
Oakland is in the Fifth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 40th state legislative district.Politics
As of April 1, 2006, out of a 2004 Census estimated population of 13,707, there were 8,251 registered voters (60.2% of the population, vs. 55.4% in all of Bergen County). Of registered voters, 1,096 (13.3% vs. 20.7% countywide) were registered as DemocratsDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, 2,249 (27.3% vs. 19.2% countywide) were registered as Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and 4,904 (59.4% vs. 60.1% countywide) were registered as Undeclared
Undeclared (New Jersey)
Unaffiliated is a status for registered voters in New Jersey. Those voters who do not specify a political party affiliation when they register to vote are listed as unaffiliated....
. There were two voters registered to other parties.
On the national level, Oakland leans towards the Republican Party. In the 2004 presidential election
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
, Republican George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
received 57% of the vote here, defeating Democrat John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
, who received around 42%.
Education
Students in grades K through 8 attend the Oakland Public SchoolsOakland Public Schools
The Oakland Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade from the borough of Oakland in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....
. Schools in the district (with 2005-06 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics
National Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are three K-5 elementary schools — Dogwood Hill School (291 students), Heights Elementary School (433 students) and Manito Elementary School (413 students) — and Valley Middle School which serves grades 6 - 8 (559 students).
Public school students in grades 9 - 12 attend the schools of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District
Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District
The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District is a comprehensive regional school district consisting of two four-year public high schools located in Bergen County, New Jersey. The district serves over 2,100 students from the suburban communities of Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff...
, a regional district consisting of two four-year public high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
s serving students from Franklin Lakes
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 10,590. As of the 2000 Census, Franklin Lakes had the 18th-highest per-capita income of all 566 municipalities in the state. Nationwide, Franklin Lakes ranked 17th among the...
, Oakland and Wyckoff
Wyckoff, New Jersey
Wyckoff is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 16,696. As of the 2000 Census, Wyckoff ranked 54th in 100 highest-income places in the United States...
. Students in eight grade have the option to choose attend either Indian Hills High School
Indian Hills High School (New Jersey)
Indian Hills High School is a comprehensive four-year public high school located in Bergen County, New Jersey. The school is a part of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, serving students from Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff. The high school is located in Oakland. Ramapo...
in Oakland or Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes.
Private schools include Barnstable Academy, located in a business and industrial park off Long Hill Road; The New Jersey Japanese School, located next to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church; and The Gerrard Berman Day School (Solomon Schechter of North Jersey) located on Spruce Street.
Awards
Oakland was ranked by Business Week as #43 on its list of "Great Places to Raise Kids -- for Less", with only two places deemed better than Oakland: MatawanMatawan, New Jersey
Matawan is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,810. The name "Matawan" comes from a Native American Lenape word....
(12th) and Echelon
Echelon, New Jersey
Echelon is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Voorhees Township in Camden County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population is 10,440....
near Philadelphia (4th). The criteria were test scores in math and reading, number of schools, cost of living, recreational and cultural activities, and risk of crime.
Transportation
Major roads through Oakland include Interstate 287Interstate 287
Interstate 287 is an auxiliary Interstate Highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. It is a partial beltway around New York City, serving the northern half of New Jersey and the counties of Rockland and Westchester in New York...
, Route 208 and U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
. There is no commuter rail service in Oakland, though commuter bus service to the Port Authority Bus Terminal
Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the main gateway for interstate buses into Manhattan in New York City...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
is available from Coach USA
Coach USA
Coach USA LLC is a holding company for various American transportation service providers providing scheduled intercity bus service, local and commuter bus transit, city sightseeing, tour, yellow school bus, and charter bus service...
. New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
bus service
New Jersey Transit Bus Operations
New Jersey Transit Bus Operations is the bus division of New Jersey Transit, providing bus service throughout New Jersey along with service along one light rail line, with many routes going to New York City and Philadelphia.-History:...
is also available on a limited basis via the 752 line (Oakland to Hackensack via Ridgewood). A freight rail line does run through Oakland.
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport , first named Newark Metropolitan Airport and later Newark International Airport, is an international airport within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States...
provides scheduled air service.
Media
Radio station WVNJWVNJ
WVNJ is radio station licensed to Oakland, New Jersey, serving Bergen County, New Jersey and parts of the New York City metropolitan area. The station employs a brokered programming format and is owned by Universal Broadcasting headed by Miriam Warshaw...
is licensed to Oakland.
The Oakland Journal is an online hyper-local news source that covers local political, civic and social events.
Corporate residents
Russ Berrie and Company, Inc.Kid Brands
Kid Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries design, develop and distribute infant and juvenile branded products. These products are primarily distributed through mass market, baby super stores, specialty, food, drug, independent and e-commerce retailers worldwide....
, once headquartered in Oakland, is a major manufacturer of teddy bear
Teddy bear
The teddy bear is a stuffed toy bear. They are usually stuffed with soft, white cotton and have smooth and soft fur. It is an enduring form of a stuffed animal in many countries, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items...
s and other gift products, including stuffed animal
Stuffed animal
A stuffed toy is a toy sewn from cloth, plush, or other textiles, and stuffed with straw, beans, plastic pellets, cotton, synthetic fibres, or other similar materials. Stuffed toys are also known as plush toys A stuffed toy is a toy sewn from cloth, plush, or other textiles, and stuffed with straw,...
s, baby gifts, soft baby toys and development toys as well as picture, candles, figurines and home fragrance products. There are a few industrial parks in Oakland, the biggest of which is off Long Hill Road near the Franklin Lakes
Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Franklin Lakes is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 10,590. As of the 2000 Census, Franklin Lakes had the 18th-highest per-capita income of all 566 municipalities in the state. Nationwide, Franklin Lakes ranked 17th among the...
border. Russ Berrie and Company has since moved to Wayne Township
Wayne, New Jersey
Wayne is a Township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, located less than from midtown Manhattan. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township had a total population of 54,069....
.
Commerce
Oakland offers a diverse amount of shopping. The downtown core is centered around Ramapo Valley Road (U.S. Route 202U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
) between Oak Street and Franklin Avenue. The Copper Tree Mall (a strip mall with a small indoor section) is one of the dominant retail locations. As part of the current Mayor's plan,(Szabo), to help the downtown,a Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
has opened. On the same location, a Columbia Bank and a Starbucks has opened recently. This new mini-mall is on the corner of Ramapo Valley road (Rt. 202) and West Oakland Avenue. These new locations have helped to increase traffic in what was once a more quiet community.
Recreation
There are a number of municipal recreational facilities in Oakland. The largest is a recreational area located off Oak Street, known to residents simply as the "Rec Field," which is home to nine baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
and softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
fields, six tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
courts, a roller hockey
Roller hockey
Roller Hockey is a form of hockey played on a dry surface using skates with wheels. The term "Roller Hockey" is often used interchangeably to refer to two variant forms chiefly differentiated by the type of skate used. There is traditional "Roller Hockey," played with quad roller skates, and...
rink, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
courts, and other facilities. New Jersey's Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Ramapo Mountain State Forest is a 4,200 acre state forest in Bergen and Passaic Counties in New Jersey. The park is operated and maintained by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry....
is located in Oakland and can be accessed from Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive (New Jersey)
Skyline Drive is a 5.76-mile long road in Northern New Jersey, between Interstate 287 in Oakland, Bergen County and County Route 511 in Ringwood, Passaic County, passing through Ringwood State Park in the Ramapo Mountains. It is a major route for those in the Ringwood and Wanaque area to get to...
just north of its interchange with I-287.
The "Rec Field" is home to the annual carnival and fireworks that take place during the summer.
Oakland also offers a summer camp which runs for six weeks.
Notable residents
Notable current and former residents of Oakland include:- Karen McCullah LutzKaren McCullah LutzKaren McCullah Lutz is an American screenwriter and novelist.McCullah Lutz was born in the Philippines, where her father had been assigned with the United States Navy performing counterespionage duties. She grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey, and graduated from Indian Hills High School in her...
, screenwriter and novelist. - Mike TeelMike TeelMike Teel is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights before he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
(born 1986), football quarterback.