Get Outside

Get out... (outside, that is!). From organized bike rides to waterside walks, we make it easy for you to experience the county’s natural wonders close to home with this handy guide.

Boating

The 25-mile Lower Raritan corridor has many public access points from which to launch a canoe or kayak. Head to Duke Island Park in Bridgewater, Johnson Park in Piscataway or Donaldson Park in Highland Park and enjoy scenery along the river that ranges from urban settings and small river towns to picturesque farm country and woodlands. In many places, there is nothing to observe but vegetation, wildlife and rippling water.

You can also bring your boat (canoe, kayak, rowboat) to mile-long Lake Surprise in Watchung Reservation (permit required, go to ucnj.org) and 365-acre Mercer Lake in West Windsor. Don’t own a boat? Don’t let that stop you from getting out on the water! You can rent a rowboat, kayak or pedal boat at Mercer Lake. Pedal boats are also available for rental at Warinanco Park in Roselle and Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. And you can rent canoes and kayaks in Griggstown and Princeton (go to canoenj.com) and spend the day paddling on the Delaware & Raritan Canal or Lake Carnegie.

The Somerset County Park Commission offers a variety of introductory experiences on Branta Pond at the Environment

al Education Center, including “CAN-U-CANNU??” and “KAN- U-KAYAK??” Once you pass the class, you’re able to participate in the kayak and canoe trips offered. Another option in Somerset County: the paddleboats at Colonial Park in Franklin Township. For people with limited mobility, there is a boat with hand-operated pedals.

The Mohawk Canoe Club has promoted paddling in the Garden State since 1903, offering more than 150 trips a year, ranging from easy flat water to challenging whitewater. The club’s activities also include instructional classes, social gatherings, camping trips and river cleanups. Annual dues: $22/individual, $30/family.

Biking

Two of the hottest spots in the state for mountain biking are located in our area—the 719-acre Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater Township and Sourland Mountain Preserve, whose 4,000 acres extend across Hillsborough and Montgomery townships through southern Hunterdon and northern Mercer counties to the Delawa

re River. Both offer miles of trails for different skill levels in a beautiful, undisturbed natural setting.

If you prefer pavement, bring your bike to Duke Island Park, which features 3.5 miles of trails along both the canal and the Raritan River. At Natirar Park, a 404-acre site in Peapack- Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster, two trails (1.3 miles and 1 mile) traverse scenic meadows and wooded areas. In Mercer County, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail stretches for nearly 20 miles through Lawrence and Hopewell Townships. Along the way, you’ll pass or have access to the watershed, Mercer Educational Gardens, Mercer County Equestrian Center, Mercer Meadows and other attractions.

Want to go on a group ride? The Central Jersey Bicycle Club offers rides throughout the year and throughout the state, ranging from leisurely 10-mile jaunts to 60-plus-mile trips that cross multiple counties. Annual dues: $15/individual; $20/family.

Hiking

Cheesequake State Park (Matawan): Located in a transitional zone between two different ecosystems, this park is home to open fields, saltwater and freshwater marshes, a white cedar swamp, Pine Barrens and a northeastern hardwood forest. Five designated trails, ranging from 1.5 miles to 3.5 miles, vary in difficulty level from easy to moderate. (Weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, $10 for New Jersey residents, $20 for others; weekdays, $5 per vehicle for state residents, $10 for others.)

Jamesburg Park Conservation Area (East Brunswick, Helmetta, Spotswood and Monroe Township): Spanning more than 1,400 acres, Jamesburg Park was one of the first lands that Middlesex County acquired using Green Acres funding for open space protection in the early 1970s. It features a network of four marked trails ranging in length from 0.6 mile to 2.8 miles, totaling 7 miles.

John A. Phillips Open Space Preserve (Old Bridge): At more than 1,700 acres, Phillips Preserve is the largest contigu- ous parkland in Middlesex County’s park system. It has four major hiking trails—the handicapped-accessible Nature Trail (0.5 mile), Blueberry Flats Trail (.95 mile), Old Bridge Sands Trail (1.1 miles) and Pleasant Valley Trail (2.1 miles).

Plainsboro Preserve (Plainsboro): Hike more than 5 miles of trails meandering through mature beech woods, wet mead- ows and the shoreline of McCormack Lake at this 1,000-acre preserve managed by New Jersey Audubon. Be sure to bring your binoculars: More than 150 species of birds call the site home during the year.

Thompson Park Conservation Area(Monroe Township): Some of the oldest and most-used trails in Middlesex County can be found at this sprawling preserved space dominated by heavily wooded forests and lowland swamps. Nine miles of trails enable you to take a short stroll or string several together for a longer hike.

Washington Crossing State Park(Titusville): Established in 1912, this is the site where the Continental Army landed after crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776. Originally preserved for its historical significance, the 3,575-acre park is also well known for its 15 miles of trails and wildlife. Among the most notable species are whitetail deer, fox, raccoon, great horned owl, screech owl, red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk and Eastern bluebird. (Weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, $5 for New Jersey residents, $7 for others.)

The Interstate Hiking Club organizes day-long hikes for every Sunday and some Saturdays throughout the year. Each hike is graded by difficulty of terrain, distance and pace—from easy (3–5 miles) to strenu- ous (8-plus miles). The club occasionally offers other outdoor activities too. Annual dues: $10, plus $1 initiation fee.

Nature Walks

The Master Gardeners of Middlesex County chose the largely undeveloped Davidson’s Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick for its headquarters, which means this 482-acre site features a few special enhancements such as a fragrant herb garden, a demonstration vegetable garden and a butterfly house (open Saturday and Sunday, June through August, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.). Four leisurely trails range in length from 0.1 mile to 1.4 miles, taking you across a meadow, through dense woods and along a wide, flat farm road.

Just under two miles of woodland trails wind through off-the-beaten-track Woodfield Reservation in Princeton. This 100-acre tract also is home to two interesting geologic features—Council Rock, which overlooks a large, heavily bouldered basin, and Tent Rock, a massive boulder. The woods are home to a wide range of birds; summer residents include scarlet tanagers, rose-breasted grosbeaks and Northern orioles. And this is the only woodland area where you can spot the Louisiana water thrush.

For a stroller-friendly walk, head to Hoffman Park in Union Township, where the trails are primarily gravel or paved and flat. Most are named for features found along the trails—Powerline Road and Birch Way, for example. The 354-acre park is probably best known among bird watchers for the endangered and threatened species that nest here, including bobolinks, Eastern meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows and Savannah sparrows.

More than 8 miles of relatively flat trails (about 3 miles of which are boardwalked) can be explored at Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge. The trails branch away from the Environment Education Center, which offers free, hour-long interpretive nature walks on selected Saturdays and Sundays.

Can’t tell a sparrow from a sw

allow? No worries. The Washington Crossing Audubon Society in Pennington offers myriad birding programs and field trips. Annual dues: $10.

Places To Picnic

For romantics: Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville. You’re sure to find a secluded spot to spread your blanket in this 3,575-acre park. Enjoy the wildflowers around the park or set up your picnic near the Delaware River for serenity and some fantastic views. Admission fees apply.

For families: Merrill Park in Woodbridge. The kids are in for a good night’s sleep after a pic- nic at this park. Have lunch in one of the picnic areas, then let the little ones loose in one of the three playgrounds. The park also sports an “animal haven” with chickens, ducks, goats and horses.

For active folks: Roosevelt Park in Edison. You may want to eat before and after participating in the park’s recreational activities. You can play tennis, basketball and softball here in addition to walking or biking and chasing the children on three playgrounds.

For large gatherings: Spruce Run Recreation Area in Clinton. At this 2,000-plus-acre park, six picnic areas are located in wooded and open areas overlooking the reservoir with tables, charcoal grills and rest-room facilities. From April 1 through October 31, the park offers a group picnic area that accommodates 225 people and may be reserved. Admission fees apply.

Dog Parks

Spend some time with your four-legged buddies at one of Central Jersey’s many dog parks. You’ll both have fun and get some great exercise.

Thompson Park in Monroe Township. This large, fenced-in park has benches, bags to clean up after your dog, a doggie water fountain and trees surrounding the park. There is more than enough parking, and two fenced-in areas separate large dogs from small ones. During your visit, enjoy the hiking trails and streams that run behind the dog park.

Colonial Park in Franklin Township. This spacious 3-acre dog park allows dogs of all sizes to intermingle and socialize. With trees supplying some shade, there are also picnic tables nearby with ample parking. There is a limit of two dogs per owner here.

Donaldson Park in Highland Park. This one includes separate sections for large and small dogs. There are rest-room facilities, a double gated entry, benches, bags to clean up after your dog and a canine water fountain. Enjoy a scenic walk around the pond while visiting too.

Mercer County Park in West Windsor. This park has separate areas for large and small dogs, and both sections include different surface areas, obstacles, dog-friendly water fountains and a variety of other canine attractions.

East Brunswick Dog Park at Heavenly Farms. This is one of the few dog parks with lights and visiting hours past dusk. Lights stay on most nights until 10 p.m. Fenced-in areas for small and large dogs are decorated with bushes, small trees and whimsical statues including a fire hydrant. Bags for picking up after your dog are also supplied here.

Fishing

You can cast your line at Farrington Lake, a 289-acre freshwater reservoir in Middlesex County where the catch of the day might be chain pickerel, channel catfish, largemouth bass, Northern pike, yellow perch or rainbow trout. Another option in Middlesex is 30-acre Manalapan Lake, which is home to largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish.

A popular spot in Princeton is Carnegie Lake; its 237 acres stretch for three miles and are known for largemouth bass, common carp, catfish, yellow perch and Northern pike. In Bridgewater Township, anglers head to the 21-acre Washington Valley Park Reservoir to catch largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. And at Colonial Park in Franklin Township three ponds are stocked each year by the State Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife.

A fishing license is required for everyone ages 16 and older. For more information on obtaining a fishing license visit state.nj.us/dep/fgw.

Central Jersey Trout Unlimited is a group dedicated to ensuring a better overall fishing experience. The organization offers fishing trips at low-cost group rates. Members also receive a subscription to Trout, a national quarterly magazine devoted to environmental and conservation concerns.+