Fire station birthday

Has anyone had any recent experiences with a birthday at the South Orange or Maplewood fire station? The threads I'm finding via search are all several years old. I'd love your thoughts and some ideas for logistics. Is the Civic House best for pizza and cake after the Maplewood fire station? Any ideas in South Orange?

My 5-year-old has said rather forcefully that he does NOT want another party at home when he turns 6  The end of an era. He always talks about being a firefighter when he grows up so I thought this could be fun, but are 6-year-olds too old for this? 

Unfortunately (unless something has changed) since the Y took over the Civic House, you can no longer rent it for parties.

The Turtle Back Zoo has facilities for children's birthday parties..and of...

course zoo visits available.     We did it many years ago with our then little one and the zoo has expanded measurably since then.........

I recommendhttps://www.google.com/search?q=turtle+back+zoo+birthday+party&tbm=isch&imgil=tEMuFRD4IVSq-M%253A%253BXv79s9P_OMNJcM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.njplaygrounds.com%25252F7354%25252Fturtle-back-zoo-west-orange-nj%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=tEMuFRD4IVSq-M%253A%252CXv79s9P_OMNJcM%252C_&usg=__F_VR8Wmr9w0yJ1z5FdglhqD1dlU%3D&biw=1366&bih=619&ved=0CD4Qyjc&ei=S908VenLJsa0sAS0rYHgBQ#imgrc=tEMuFRD4IVSq-M%253A%3BXv79s9P_OMNJcM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.njplaygrounds.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F07%252F2012-03-23_13-41-54_392.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.njplaygrounds.com%252F7354%252Fturtle-back-zoo-west-orange-nj%252F%3B2592%3B1456

Hi. My son is obsessed with fire trucks, and knows all of the firefighters (I am not exaggerating!) at the station on Dunnell Road. In December, we rented a room in the Civic House. Afterward, all the kids walked over and the firemen on call gave them a tour. This was pre-arragned with them and dependent, of course, on there being no emergency! The kids had a great time. I got plastic firefighter hats for everyone. Plus we lit flying wish paper—tissue paper kids write wishes on that you then lit up (here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042GB7ZU/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687662&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0042GEDRO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=10QACFJVBTYPWYQAV54C). 

I'm glad to hear you can rent space at the Civic House again!

Years ago my kid went to a firefighter party at the Maplewood fire house on Dunnell.  Afterwards, we all went back to the birthday boy's house for cake.  These were very young children so their parents stayed, but you could have the parents go to the fire station and then drop off at your house.  Also, they might be able to send a fire truck to your house.  We had that for our block party and gave them a $50 donation.  

OK, I see that you do not want the party at home, but maybe if it's just part of the party your kid will be OK.  

A friend just went to a party there and loved it! The kids seemed to have a great time - got to shoot the hose, sit on the truck, etc. Very cute photos. I am considering it e my son when he's 4 or 5. all you need to do is make a donation to the fire dept. Since you can't do Civi House, how about the Woodland? It's pretty close by, though not ideal since it's a 5 min walk cutting through the train station. I also think you may be able to rent part of the park out (saw a party there in the summer).  

seidperson said:

Hi. My son is obsessed with fire trucks, and knows all of the firefighters (I am not exaggerating!) at the station on Dunnell Road. In December, we rented a room in the Civic House. Afterward, all the kids walked over and the firemen on call gave them a tour. This was pre-arragned with them and dependent, of course, on there being no emergency! The kids had a great time. I got plastic firefighter hats for everyone. Plus we lit flying wish paper—tissue paper kids write wishes on that you then lit up (here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042GB7ZU/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687662&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0042GEDRO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=10QACFJVBTYPWYQAV54C). 

@seidperson That's awesome news that you recently rented the Civic House. Did you do that through the rec department, or the Y? I hope it's an option, as I love the chance for the kids to blow off some steam at the playground too!! 

We could also walk over to the Y for one of their party rooms, perhaps.  Ideally I'd like to avoid making folks park twice, so a walkable location would be nice. 

Our house could be a possibility for pizza and cake if needed, but then we're more limited on attendees and have the headache of finding kid tables and chairs (I rented last year but it was a pain!). 

I'm thinking way ahead on this as it's not until October, but the idea just crossed my mind so I wanted to investigate. 

@debpod I also thought about the Woodland or the Burgdorff. The walk's not too bad and I bet the kids would enjoy it. With those options or the Y party room, maybe we could just build in some playground time before heading over. Though if it rains that plan is kinda shot

Just as an update - you CAN rent the Civic House! It's handled through the YMCA now, and it's $70 per hour. Yay! I told my son about this and he was super excited. It feels perfect to me; it's not home like we've done it before, but it's almost the next best thing.