Grounds For Sculpture

Grounds For Sculpture is off I-295 exit 65B, .2 mi. w. on Sloan Ave. to Klockner Rd., s. to E. State St., .8 mi. e. to Sculptor's Way, then .2 mi. s. to 18 Fairgrounds Rd. The 42-acre sculpture park, built on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds, features three buildings, each of which houses museum galleries whose exhibitions rotate seasonally with contemporary art sculptures. The Domestic Arts Building offers two exhibit spaces; the steel-framed Museum Building offers the largest gallery; a third structure, the Seward Johnson Center for the Arts, contains a visitor center and educational areas at which workshops are offered, as well as the 7,500-square-foot East Gallery. More than 270 large-scale contemporary sculptures by American and international artists in such media as bronze, wood, stone and steel are displayed outdoors in both formal and naturalistic landscape settings.

The park contains lotus ponds, waterfalls, misting features, a water garden, bridges, a courtyard of Japanese maples, winding pathways and two allées. Peacocks roam the grounds. An arboretum features many unusual conifers, bamboos and ornamental grasses. A Tree Tour brochure of 78 interesting specimens is available. Touch tours for the visually impaired and cart rides for the mobility impaired are available with advance notice.

Note: Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Guided tours are available. Food is available. Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.