GLEN ROCK
Not many towns still have that tight-knit vibe where everyone knows your name. But Glen Rock in Bergen County undeniably does, says mother of three Kathleen Walter, a borough resident for the past 23 years. “It’s small enough that you get to know your neighbors and [their] kids, and everyone really appreciates the hometown feeling,” she says. It can be seen at the municipal pool over the summer, where toddlers splash away with water toys while older kids hit the playground. That feeling extends to the Glen Rock Inn, which boasts the best sliders in town and owners who know patrons by name.
Glen Rock’s consistently praised for outstanding Bergen County schools, but offers other learning opportunities like author visits at the public library and a new education center at Thielke Arboretum. The high school’s home to pep rallies, an annual Relay for Life and the Grad Ball, a secret-theme blowout for seniors planned by parents. It’s no surprise to Walter, a history teacher at the high school, that her students are proud to participate: “The kids are joyful and invested in their own school experiences. Our kids do so much to support the town that supports them.”
Fun fact: The famous 520-ton boulder in the middle of town is rumored to have hitched a ride on a glacier from Peekskill, NY to its current location roughly 15,000 years ago.
