Been coming to this park for years. It is right next to Menlo Park mall. Has a great sized lake…read morefor fishing. It is kept clean, has a playground area, skating rink in the winter

I love this park! Great for walking my dog Cooper, he loves the streams, the bridges, ponds, miles…read moreof paths, lush green fields, trees. So much to do here I'll just ramble off a list of what you can find here: walking and biking the miles of paths, tennis courts, grassy areas for solitude, a reflection park with landscaping and stone benches arranged in an oval, barbecue and picnic areas with built in stand up grills, picnic benches and a few covered large areas for entertaining large groups with nearby running water from a hand pump (check park website for availability but I believe it's first come first served for the covered picnic areas), TONS of parking all around the park for easy access, babbling brooks, cute bridges, a really nice man made pond with an island and best yet, BATHROOMS all over!

I have always love this park and today it felt like the right day to visit despite the cloudy sky!!…read moreI have been here before but it's nothing to visit more than once!! They have picnic tables to eat your lunch or just enjoy the scenery!!

Washington Rock Park is more of a scenic overlook than it is a park and unfortunately you're not…read moregonna find any Hiking Trails or outdoor Picnic Areas with Grills anywhere near here, but it is still a pretty cool Historic New Jersey Landmark plus it was an important part of the Revolutionary War.     In May of 1777 this mountain overlook provided General George Washington's Army a vantage point in order to see the British encampments below which solidified an edge for any future troop engagements.    Long story short, the mountain's sheer height and location made it the perfect observation site and natural defensible fort. Definitely worth checking out if you ever find yourself in this immediate area. Come And Get Your History On!!

As a student at Rutgers, this is probably my favorite part of campus. Located on the Livingston…read morecampus, the ecological preserve is footsteps away from the business school and has several miles worth of trails to travel. I tend to do this trail pretty often for running and to make things interesting I'll change up the trails. A lot of the trails are interconnected which can be confusing, but the trails are marked with some signs and trees which are marked with the color of their respective trail. The trail also extends from Livingston Campus all the way to Johnson Park and everything in between. My favorite trail is the blue trail which runs alongside one of the creeks and heads towards Johnson Park. Having run it in different seasons, I'd say the best time to do the trails is in spring/fall where the weather isn't too hot or cold and there's plenty of foliage. In the summer, it can get really hot and humid along with the many bugs that live there. (Be on the lookout for the many spider webs that you may encounter on the trail!) The trail is not paved, so be prepared for mud after the rain. Also, if running, be on the lookout for the many tree roots and changes in terrain that can trip you up (as I've done plenty of times). There are plenty of deer, squirrel, raccoon encounters so definitely be on the lookout. On one occasion the preserve was closed due to an "aggressive" coyote, but I have never made such an encounter. Overall, the Rutgers Ecological Preserve makes for a fun and interesting trip whether its hiking, running, biking or anything in between. I'd definitely recommend it, especially if you're a student.

This preserve is tucked away North of the Rutgers main campus. It offers a collection of hiking…read moretrails which are mostly well-marked, flat, and very clean. The small parking lot is easy to miss and don't be fooled by a chain halfway across the entrance to it, it is open for parking with no parking pass needed. The trails can be muddy in certain areas after a good rain, so hiking shoes are recommended over sneakers.

This has quickly and easily become one of my favorite spots to be grounded and immersed in nature…read more If you don't have time for an hours long hike or a ride to a huge forest, this place will do. I love that they have ample space in their parking lot, its easily accessible, and intriguing because it's a sensory trail. I appreciate how quaint it is. Very uplifting if you need a boost. Highly recommend!

This is my first time at this reservation and I must say that it is beautiful.. it is so peaceful…read moreand quiet. They have a lot space for picnics and trails to walk on(wear your comfortable sneakers) and the waterfall is so amazing!!

I really like Colonial Park. It's large, beautifully maintained, and offers so much to do that I…read moremake a point of visiting whenever I'm in the area. Some of the park's attractions include: * Bocce Ball Courts * Delaware & Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park Trail Access * Dog Park * Fishing * Fitness Trail * Golf Course * Large Playground * Miniature Golf * Nature Trails * Paddle Boating (Duck Boats) * Picnic Pavilions * Rose Garden & Sensory and Fragrance Garden * Spray Park * Tennis & Pickleball Courts The park also connects directly to the Delaware & Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park Trail via a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the canal. I've walked throughout the park and along the D&R Trail. Fitness stations are located along portions of the trail, and it's easy to create a scenic loop that passes the photogenic Stone Cottage and the spectacular Rose Garden area. The Splash Park is incredibly popular with families. On hot, sunny days, parking near the playground can be hard to find. So far, I've enjoyed the duck boats, miniature golf, fitness trail, nature trails, Rose Garden, and Splash Park. Next on my list are the bocce courts, which appear to be in excellent condition. If you're visiting the area, Colonial Park is a destination well worth your time.

Great park, lovely rosegarden and easy access to partially shaded Delaware/Raritan towpath for…read morewalking/hiking/bicycling

Glad I went to this place for a walk , and bird viewing . I looked up google reviews and found this…read moreplace . Location wise it's not the best , but inc you go in , it's Ana amazing place to walk . Parking is a bit small but does fit 20 cars ! The entrance is through a road which is deserted ! I just loved the trial walk . The wooden path is just amazing ! The overall walk is about 1.5 kms per loop .. so 2-3 loops will give you a 5K .. you can also divert off the wooden walkways and walk on the gravel to the back of the Rahway River /lake . Good bird sightings . Saw good ones and could take pics . I also saw woodpeckers but could t take pics ! Loved it overall . Very good place .

I'm intrigued. Went today... cool spring afternoon. Hidden near refinery and landfill. Where do I…read morebegin? Quiet. Erie or peaceful? I think both. Creepy? A little Hidden? Very Unsettling? Kept looking back and around for other people. Saw a small family, a couple, a man and baby son, a lone guy, a guy with a bike. Still kept looking around. Path: mostly boardwalk and pebbled paths. Tall grass and trees doesn't let you see across path. Path has shade from trees. River/creek/marsh: it was dry, low tide. Didn't see any wildlife there. Smells salty. Tall deer fence: I guess to keep the deer off path? Pretty sure deer can go around it. Signs posted along path with information. No dogs allowed. Views: not much. Lots of tall grass and trees. And the landfill mountain. Very insulated. I wouldn't go alone. You can't see in or out. Poison ivy EVERYWHERE!!!!! Don't touch anything! I did like that there are lots of birds and you can hear them all. It's very quiet and has a good nature feel. I will go back to explore more. I think there needs to be more patrol or surveillance cameras.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this park. It is my stress reliever. The most amazing hiking trails. It's so…read morepeaceful you don't believe you are only 45 mins away from New York City.

I love this park. I came here with my best friend to go for a nice hike. This park is very nice, if…read moreyou looking to escape from the world for a lil bit go on the different trails and enjoy nature!!