My girls had a blast here. The splash pad facility is so impressive. There are two huge play areas…read morewith tons of sprinklers, buckets and water tables. One area is a little bit better for smaller kids so it's nice that they have two different options. The best part about the splash pad is the reservation system. You must make a reservation online, and you have a 1.5 hour time slot. Splash pads can get packed on a hot day, so this was a great way to control the crowd. Once your time is up there's an enormous playground right next door. There is so much to see and do that you could easily spend hours here without getting bored. Overall this is a fantastic township recreation area. It's clean and well-maintained, and there are endless play options for kids.

This is one of the cleanest parks I have walked through in Monmouth County. There are trash bins…read moreeverywhere and 2.3 miles of paved trails for you and your family to enjoy. The trails are perfect for walking your furry dogs, in-line skating, cycling, easy walking and pushing strollers. There is also a repair station with a tire pump and tools found near the basketball courts. The Challenger Place has finally finished and is a designed playground for kids who are blind or visually impaired. Their sport courts include tennis and basketball courts, as well as an in-line skating rink. The athletic field is available for rental and may be used for baseball games but not for practices. I have heard they have swimming pools but I personally did not see it. Instead, I saw a spray ground (water-enhanced playground) which was to open in mid-May but given our current situation with the COVID-19 outbreak, this is doubtful for mid-May 2020 due to the pandemic restrictions. Normally, it would open mid-May through early September. I would imagine the busiest time to be there with kids is during the height of summer because summer camps are held there by the Monmouth County Park System and Challenged Youth Sports from Middletown.

Perfect hiking spot for you and your dog…read more 2-4 miles of clean, easy, safe trails. Many trash cans to chuck your dog's poop. All the trails are in loops so you won't get lost. Also, great spot to trail run. I will be back.

Great little piece of peace and quiet! Easy trails for a bike. Few people and enjoyable. Explore…read moreit, it's local and under appreciated!

As someone who has lived in New Jersey my whole life and visited many parks and gardens, I can…read morehonestly say Deep Cut Gardens was one of the most beautiful places I've experienced in the state. We visited on a sunny day in early May around 11:30 AM. Not everything was fully in bloom yet, but the greenery, trees, shrubs, and gardens were absolutely beautiful and created such a peaceful, serene atmosphere. Parking is a bit limited, but we were able to find a spot fairly quickly. The grounds were easy to walk, beautifully maintained, and full of great photo spots. I also loved the maze garden area and the small reading/sunroom space, which added such a charming touch. I even saw people having picnics, and it immediately made me want to come back and do the same. Only small thing to note: we did notice some poison ivy in certain areas, so just be mindful. Overall, easy to get to, peaceful, and absolutely worth visiting. Already looking forward to coming back in June when everything is in full bloom.

You'll like this spot whether you're a plant expert or a casual observer like me who may need to…read moreuse "Shazam for plants" to identify garden croton. There's plenty to see outdoors, including a twisty tree and a koi pond, but when open, the showstopper is the greenhouse, with cacti and much more. And it's free!

Also knows as deal test site…read more I go to this park every weekend and walk my dog. We absolutely love it. The clean fresh air and the acres of preserved land is really great to have in the local community. There are lots of soccer and little league games going on here. There are kids learning to ride their bikes. Lots of dog owners walking and enjoying. I see people flying kites and playing catch. It's a wonderful place. If you pay attention on the trail you will see stations that are set up for different exercises. There is one particular one or you can do pull-ups I like to stop there and do 50 pull-ups on my walk it's great exercise and an awesome alternative to the gym. If you like you walk or jog outside this is it

Nice walking paths in a park in the middle of town. Lots of deer, that are so used to seeing…read morepeople, they don't immediately scatter. Even walked right up to 3 with my dog.

It's that time of the year again! The Garden State Parkway is flooded with cars driving down to the…read moreJersey Shore all summer long. Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park is one of my favorite destinations for an enjoyable beach day. If you prefer a quieter and more peaceful type of beach experience, this is the right place for you. Hours are from 8AM-9:30PM. Guarded swimming is from 10AM-5PM. Admission is $10 per person and parking is $10 per vehicle. While this price may seem hefty for some, I think it's worth it. They have a huge parking lot with immediate walking access to the beach. You won't have to worry about finding street parking like many other Jersey beaches. Anyone ages 17 and under get free entry. Military and veterans (including their spouse and children) get free admission and parking. I wish they provided a discount for senior citizens. After 5pm, it's free for all individuals. What I love the most about this beach is how clean and quiet it is. You can tell that the park rangers take very good care of it. There isn't any trash laying around and the sand is clean. It's never overly crowded, so there's plenty of space to lay around. Most patrons are respectful and well behaved. They don't provide chair or umbrella service, so you have to bring your own. No, the water isn't completely crystal clear..... lol but as of lately, it's been looking a lot more blue, clearer, and prettier :-) There are designated areas for surfing. Waves can be rough and high tide is no joke, so don't sink okayyyyy. There are bathrooms and showers available. Other than the beach, there's a large playground, skateplex, and volleyball areas. The only major con is that there's not much else to do. There isn't a boardwalk, so you won't have access to a lot of food, bars, shops, and entertainment. They have one food/snack pavilion that offers your traditional greasy American fare - burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, etc. Breakfast bagels and sandwiches are served until 11AM. There are plenty of picnic tables and umbrellas around to enjoy your food. If you want more of a food scene, the Long Branch Pier Village is literally a 3-5 minute drive away. See yaaaaaaaaaa at the shore!

What a great family, friendly beach. As others have mentioned, there is a parking lot right on site…read morewith immediate access to the beach for only $10 per vehicle. And $10 more per adult. If you have a car full of kids it's a great deal. Unlike many other of the jersey beaches that do not have food without a big boardwalk this one has a concession stand where you can grab snacks, ice cream, burgers, fries etc. Also showers and bathrooms. There is also a playground area however at this point it has been torn down as they are revamping it. You can also choose to sit closer to the hotels which are down towards the right where you can take advantage of the staff walking around selling alcoholic beverages to sip on for the beachgoers. However, the main part of the beach is super quiet with no riffraff and loud music blasting. Just families and friends enjoy enjoying company and the water. I did not notice any trash in the sand or in the ocean, which is a huge plus. Lifeguards were very on top of it as when we went a couple of days ago there was a strong current, and people kept getting swept off to the side of the flags. Will definitely be returning over and over again this summer.

Beautiful park! Great for people of all ages and abilities. There are multiple trails for bikers,…read morejoggers, people with strollers, walkers and kiddos. Deeper into the park there is a lake where people bring canoes! I love that this park has so many layers. Even when there are many people there, using the playground, hanging out at the lake, hiking, etc., it feels like you're all alone because there are so many spots for people to be! It never feels crowded like other parks which make me feel like there was no point in going (I go to escape crowds!). It can get a little swampy after the rain, so wear suitable shoes. I slid down a hill once and my shoes saved the day. Lots of winding trails and water views, so bring a camera!

Named after the social welfare reformer Geraldine Thompson (who was an influential woman in NJ…read morepolitics and history way back in the day when Republicans actually believed that the government should be proactive in ameliorating social ills), this park features a beautiful restored estate home, beautifully maintained landscaping, and numerous activities for the public. This park is simply elegant and an oasis away from the world. Thompson had a long career of political activism and public service on behalf of prison reform, public health and juvenile justice in New Jersey, and was a generous benefactor of psychiatric services and college scholarships for the needy. Geraldine Thompson was active for many years in the state's Republican Party, and, in 1923, became the first female New Jersey delegate to a Republican National Convention. She shared a great many social welfare interests with her lifelong friend, Eleanor Roosevelt. During her later life she played an influential role in preserving Island Beach as a state park, and promoted the conservation of wildlife habitat. This park is a truly fitting monument to this woman's memory, and it is thankfully a treasure which the public can utilize for recreation and the elevation of everyday life.

Oceanport: when we meet people out and about with Brie, so many of you have told us to visit Wolf…read moreHill Recreation Area and we finally made it! Part of a bigger recreation area with softball fields, a disc golf course, and a sledding hill, the off-leash dog park offers two areas: One for pups 35 pounds or less One for 36 pounds and over There are picnic tables and doggie waste bags and the property is well maintained by Monmouth County Park System. "Please note that the Wolf Hill Recreation Area Off-Leash Dog Areas are closed until 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, April through November, to allow for facility maintenance."

A dog park, disc golfing, softball fields and Cross Country meets in the Fall season beget this…read morebeautifully open-spaced park in Oceanport, NJ. Check it out

This little park just OK. It has a few picnic tables and a couple grills but it's mainly used by…read moreemployees on their lunch break or for random people drinking alcohol (There's always beer cans in the garbage). There's also a nice little stream in the back area which is nice to listen to.

Located across the street from Deep Cut Gardens. This nice hilly park is also run by the Monmouth…read moreCounty Park System. It has 5 major trails, from easy to moderate. I did the easy trail, named Holly Grove. Since I was not familiar with the park I wanted to try Holly Grove first. It is 1 km in length,, a winding Trail through the woods. I found that I could run most of it, but since it was so hot I did not. Next time I'll trek through the moderate ones. The park also has a playground for children and a building for local events, plus clean restrooms. The park closes at dusk.

Great place to get beautiful area. Nice, following trail. Is it to follow? Clearly, Martk. It's a…read moregood hike experience. Just make sure you enter an O into it and not a 4 o'clock. Don't wanna be in there when it's dark.