About Summit
 The
city of Summit, lies in the northwestern half of Union County. It has a population 19,612, encompassing 6 square miles, is atop the second range of the Watchung Mountains. To the east lies the urban centers of northern New Jersey and New York City; to the west are the gently rolling hills and lush greenery of the Garden State's horse country. During the Revolutionary War, Summit
played a pivotal role due to its higher elevation. Today,
there are several local historians who help maintain
the proud history of this lovely city.
The railroad spurred the development of a town center,
complete with luxury hotels. One, the Blackburn House,
built in 1868 on Springfield Avenue was reconstructed
in 1929 as the Summit Suburban Hotel, then renovated
in 1986 and renamed the Grand Summit Hotel. Today, it
caters to executives visiting corporations in Summit
and nearby.
Single-family homes range in price from the low $200’s,
for a smaller split-level up to $2.5 million for a beautiful,
large, center hall colonial situated on one of north
Summit’s distinctive tree-lined streets.
There is also a large selection of condos, many situated
in comfortable old buildings, within walking distance
of downtown, and some in conveniently located younger
developments.
 Summit has 496 acres of green space. Memorial Field
has a baseball field, two softball diamonds, two soccer
fields, two basketball courts, a playground, an outdoor
roller skating rink and eight tennis courts spread out
over 25 acres. Reeves-Reed
Arboretum is a 12-acre city-owned facility that is operated
by a private foundation without local tax support which
offers extensive child and adult nature education programs
and there is an Olympic-size municipal pool. There are
various cultural events including the New Jersey Center
for Visual Arts, which has 20th Century art galleries
and daily classes.
' This is truly a dynamic little city's says Joseph Steiner, president of the Suburban Chambers of Commerce. ''People come here because it's a transportation hub into New York; it's got an outstanding educational system; and it's got a downtown that's kind of like where they grew up. It's a three-pronged community, with lots of caring and compassion.
While some Summit residents may commute to Manhattan to work, other stay close to home. Lucent Technologies, Dunn & Bradstreet, Novartis (pharmaceutical giant Scheming-plough will be moving into this site), Kemper Insurance Cos., Summit Medical Group and Overlook Hospital all have a presence in Summit or the surrounding area. Overlook Hospital, part of the Atlantic Health System, is located right in Summit and is a major teaching hospital. Specialty services include the Neuroscience Institute; The Brain Tumor Center of New Jersey; maternity and critical-care services for high-risk newborns; and the first stereotactic radiosurgery program for the treatment of cancer. The City of Summit features a thriving downtown business and shopping district, offering more than 150 retail stores, service shops and restaurants. ''We are right in the middle of our downtown rehab,''
Steiner says. Phase One of the project, which included eight square blocks, is basically complete. 'The underground infrastructure has been totally renovated,'' he notes. In addition, the streetscape features 200 new trees, new streetlights, wider sidewalks, crosswalks and curb cuts for the visually impaired, benches, and newly paved roads. Steiner says Phase Two will probably begin in the Spring and includes the final five blocks of the downtown area: Summit Avenue, and Springfield Avenue east of Summit Avenue.
 The center of Summit offers fine small shops and excellent
shopping, which many find to be welcome alternative
to mall shopping, which is also nearby. Summit has several
popular restaurants catering to a variety of tastes. One
of downtown Summit's many amenities, the Promenade was
a gift of the Summit Area Development Corporation, a
nonprofit group dedicated to providing aesthetic public
improvements in and around Summit.
An eclectic selection of merchandise is available to downtown shoppers, ranging from jewelry, toys and home furnishings, to unusual gifts, artwork and antiques. Beautiful fashions are offered at several locations, including Sealfons and The Jeanette Shop. Service providers run the gamut, from travel agents, Realtors and balks, to beauty salons, florists and locksmiths
Transportation
Summit is 22 miles from Manhattan, 45 minutes by NJ
Transit train of Lakeland bus. According to Census 2000, approximately 21,131 residents enjoy Summit's upscale, suburban ambiance and convenient location. Route 24 and I-78 mark Summit's north- and southeastern borders, providing quick access to highway networks without disturbing the landscape. Via NJ Transit trains, commuters can reach New York's Penn Station in about 45 minutes. In addition, Summit Station is a transfer hub for access to Hoboken. Travelers can reach Newark International Airport in about 15 minutes.
Education
Schools
are a major attraction in Summit with 89% of graduates
going on to higher education. There are five elementary
schools, Summit Middle School and Summit High School,
as well as various private schools. Click here to read more about Summit educatonal system.
Utilities
Electricity and gas are provided by GPU and Public Service Electric and Gas Company respectively. Water is provided by NJ American
Water Company. Sewage collection is provided by the Township and sewage
treatment by the Joint Meeting of Essex and Union County. The Township picks
solid waste up twice weekly, and there is an active recycling program. A drop
off recycling center is located on Main Street in Millburn. |
