My Block: Which Block Is The Best In Montclair?

This time, residents talk about why their neighborhood known as "Fieldstone," which includes Elizabeth Road, La Salle Road, Marquette Road, and parts of Grove Street and Alexander Avenue, is the best in Montclair.

In July, Patch started a segment titled "My Block." The goal is to find out why you believe your block is the best in Montclair. In our inaugural segment, we heard about Inwood Avenue. Then Midland Avenue. Then Summit Avenue. Then High Street. Then Trinity Place. Then Oakwood Avenue. Then Macopin Avenue. We took a bit of a break over the Labor Day holiday but we're back with a bang.

Indeed, this week we look at the Fieldstone neighborhood on Montclair's northern edge. So what makes this neighborhood — which includes Elizabeth Road, Marquette Road, La Salle Road, and parts of Grove Street and Alexander Avenue — so special? For one thing, it's a community with an international flair.

Alev Erdi is Turkish-American. Nelida Bravo moved here from Argentina 23 years ago. Akiko Nakayama moved here from Japan in 2002.

"I come from Argentina and this is the first time I've found a neighborhood that reminds me of where I grew up," said Bravo, pointing out that the kids can ride their bikes and roam free after school.

"Most of the time it looks like two playgrounds around here ... with girls in one area and boys in the other," Erdi said.

The neighborhood also hosts the last stop on the DeCamp bus route to New York City.

"Everyone's husband commutes into the city from here," Erdi said.

If that weren't enough, the neighborhood also backs onto the Bonsai Preserve, an undeveloped tract of land filled with birds and with a stream flowing through it.

And there are plenty of social events, too, including wine nights, block parties, and knitting evenings.

So check out this video. If you think your block can beat the Fieldstone neighborhood, either comment or shoot me an email at Shelley@patch.com and we'll send a videographer out to your block so that you and your neighbors can make your case. The heat is definitely still on!