A small newly updated playground (Spring 2016) with plenty of shade. Consider this a go to…read morelocation on hot and sunny days. The smaller size and limited parking usually keeps the number of kids playing here at any time pretty small. The .9 mile hike starting in the parking lot has been traveled by our 3 year old, but be aware that there are lots of rocks that could be an issue for kids still working on their balance. At this age hand holding would be advised. A gazebo, basketball court, and sand volleyball court are also next to this playground. Would rank this a 5 star playground for kids if there were a fountain and a bathroom at this location. So bring plenty of drinks and take care of potty needs before you arrive.

Small playground with 1 tennis court and 1 basketball court. There is a nice walking trail in the…read morewoods there which it the best upside of the park .

Short beginner level 1 to 1-1/2 mile well marked trails. 4 trails in all: 2 lead to Glenwild…read moreAvenue and 2 lead to Reeve Avenue. We enjoy going on this hike with ourselves or our dog. For those who have dogs, there is a dog park at the Glenwild Avenue entrance, before heading into the trail.

Very nice hiking trails in the forest. But watch out for bears! Very quiet tranquil placeread more

Troy Meadows Natural Area is a 2,600 acre fresh water marsh and Eastern woodland ecological…read moreenvironment twenty five miles west of New York City. It is designated as a priority wetland by the US EPA. Tory Meadows Natural Area began to form 10,000 years ago when the glaciers which covered this area began to melt forming the ancient lake called Lake Passaic. the Lake extended from Great Notch to just below the The Great Swamp in Millville. The lake eventually drained and produced pockets of marsh land. As an Eastern woodland it is populated by pin oaks, maple, elm, and beech trees. The fresh water marsh has numerous endangered plants but is largely made up of Yellow Foxtail grass and cattails. Water snakes, turtles frogs, racoons, white tail deer, birds (Bald Eagles), owls and blue herons to name a few. I like to come to this area alone, not that I am anti-social but because being alone allows me to focus more intently on the creatures that exist here. There multiple entrances to Troy Meadows Natural Area but I like to start my hike at the Parsippany entrance south of route 280 off of New Road. From this area you have to hike about a mile through an Eastern woodland environment. The entrance is well marked, as is the trail which leads you to the marsh and steel catwalk. You need to climb a ladder to get to the top of a six foot high catwalk. The catwalk is about 36 inches wide. I think my photos tell the story well.

Very large and seemingly little known nature preserve, mostly marshland. Several access points…read morewhich are explained on website. If you access from the service road on south side of I-280 there is a path through the woods which leads across some wooden planks in a marshy area to a ladder, which brings you to a very sturdily construced catwalk that parallels some high voltage power lines through the marsh. the catwalk makes for a nice hike with some pretty views. lots of birds here. a surprisingly tranquil place in the midst of major highways and suburbia..

This is one of my favorite local hikes. Its not too far of a drive if you are coming from Bergen…read moreCounty like myself. Upon arrival there is a pretty decent size lot with a good amount of parking. I have never had an issue finding a spot. The hikes are pretty calm with nothing being too strenuous. But you can still get a good hike in. There is a huge lake, a waterfall, some old foundations, a few old tanks, and a dam. So there is a lot to see here. There is even one point where you can see what appears to be an old jeep off one of the trails. This is a good hike if you want to get a good walk in without it being to tough. There is also plenty to see throughout the hikes.

This is our first hike that we took in NJ and although we did not see any bears (thankfully!!) - my…read morehusband did pull out a huge dog tick which was making its way into my skin!! This was absolutely my nightmare come true and I am partially to blame for because I did not spray an insect repellant. I also did not wear clothing that covered my stomach (it was hot!). Anyways, apart from that little scare, it was a beautiful hike. There are a few different trails (based on difficulty) which are detailed on a billboard at the entrance. There are a ton of squirrels and chipmunks running around...like A TON! So don't get scared and think it's a bear. The Butler Reservoir is a beautiful scenery and you can take some awesome pictures! Also, the trail itself is pretty rocky. TIPS: *Wear good hiking shoes, there are some steep/slippery areas and it's rocky most of the way. *Spray insect repellant, inspect your exposed skin for ticks AND take a shower right after you get home. Remove the tick very slowly to prevent the head from breaking off. *If you see a bear - DO NOT RUN! Scream and make yourself appear bigger/more scary by waving hands. *Take a lot of beautiful pictures! *Plan and follow the trail. The trail is available on google maps if you ever get lost and there are color coded markings on the trees throughout the hike. And most importantly - HAVE FUN!

Beautiful area, lots of hiking trails and a big lake to sit by. It would be really add to the park…read moreif there was a playground for kids and a small paved trail for strollers

Beautiful park in Kinnelon that's very-well kept. I enjoy coming here for walks around the lake and…read moreshort hikes (has a few trails). This park has PLENTY of parking so that's never an issue. This is the nicest park within my area so it's become my go-to since moving to this part of NJ. Great park for anyone looking for easy hikes, or wants to enjoy a nice walk, or bring children their children to play or have picnics (many picnic tables). I'd recommend.

DENVILLE: the downtown area has beautiful McCarter Memorial Park with the most peaceful views…read morealong the nature trail of the Rockaway River. This is a great spot to take your pup for a walk and then enjoy a beer at Diamond Spring Brewing, dog cafe at Mutts on Main, and use the pet services of Viva La Pet!

Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area is 4,000 acre wooded reserve. There are three note worthy…read moreareas of interest. The 1rst area can be accessed by taking 80 west and exiting at #37, Green Pond road. Stay right on Green Pond Road for 2.8 miles until you see the sign for Lower Hibernia Road. At Lower Hibernia Road make a right then a quick left into the gravel parking area. The trailhead is at the far end of the parking lot. Take the White trail and make the third left to get to the bat hibernaculum. This is the largest of it's kind in New Jersey. Formerly an iron ore mine in the late 1800's and early 1900's, the tunnel is over a 1,000 feet into the mountain. The downward shaft is 2,000 feet deep and once had 26 levels. Today, it is the home of hundreds of brown bats. The 2nd attractions is the cemetery on top of the mountain. It is the site of the 1850's mining community. There was once a school, two saloons, a hotel, mining housing, a cemetery and Roman Catholic church at this site. Today only the cemetery headstones and and some foundations are visible. At one time about 760 miners and their families lived here. The cemetery has interesting headstones dating back to 1852. Many of the headstones have Eastern European names, as mining jobs were promoted in this area of Europe during the 1800's. After exploring this part of the Wildlife Management Area get back onto Green Pond Road by making a right and travel another 3.6 miles until you see a sign for Upper Hibernia Road which will be on your right. Make a right and stay on Upper Hibernia Road for 2+ miles until it ends in a gravel parking lot. Walk right at the parking lot until you see a gravel road on your left. The road is a little steep at times. After walking about a mile, you will be at the top of the mountain. A short trail on your right will take you to the Hawk Eastern flyway observation area. Here 16 different types of hawks migrate April/May and Sept/Nov from Nova Scotia to South America. Bring binoculars and/or a telescope. The hawks ride the thermals which can be as high as 5,000 feet. Additionally there is a beaver dam, splitrock reservoir, and numerous hiking trails.

Fishing and hunting can be done at this wildlife management area. The terrain is very rugged be…read morewell prepared if you plan on using these state lands. It is not a state park and different rules might apply then what applies for state parks. Make sure you review wildlife management area regulations, which can be found online. The area is heavily patrolled by Conservation Officers, aka "Game Wardens".

Black Brook Park is 11 acres of recreational area carved into the suburban woodlands of Whippany…read more It's a great spot for a bike ride, jog, or just getting your steps in thanks to it's paved path. You can also check out the smaller field and show your support as the local little league teams play baseball on the 60 ft diamond. There's also a full sized 90 ft diamond as well as lighted tennis courts, pickle ball, basketball, roller hockey, and volleyball courts.    In the warmer months they hold concerts and live events at the gazebo area and they also have a horseshoe pit which can sometimes get competitive. Not saying I'm a ringer or nothing but I have been known to throw a shoe now and again, just don't forget to bring your wallet Lol.    This park is always well maintained and clean and they're very serious about keeping that way. Dogs are welcomed as long as they're picked up after and there are restrooms located near the front parking lots. Come And Get Your Activities On!!

Wanted to explore a new park today and found Black Brook Park, an 11-acre multi-purpose family…read morefriendly park situated in lovely Whippany (Hanover Twp), NJ. Per the township website and as is apparent once you arrive at this well-maintained, clean and beautiful park, it offers the following: Basketball court Bike and jogging path around the perimeter of the park Four lighted tennis courts Gazebo Horseshoe Pit Little League diamond (60 feet) Picnic area Playground Restrooms Standard size baseball field (90 feet) Tennis practice wall Tot playground next to the small diamond Two roller hockey courts Volleyball court Black Brook also offers a snack bar during baseball season, as well as picnic rentals. Even with overcast skies, it was great to be able to enjoy the fresh air and get the endorphins released today at such a pleasant spot. If you're a walker/runner, you may not find the perimeter of the trails adequate in terms of the stretch of trails (you can do multiple loops) but what's nice about this park is that you can venture into the very nice surrounding residential developments to get more distance in, with inclines/downhills. Great place to bring your doggie(s) too! They also have a nice little playground for the little ones. Check out Black Brook in Whippany!! :)