Below are some favorite parks and playgrounds. For photos and a mom's commentary about many more, visit New Jersey Playgrounds. If you have a park or playground to recommend, please let us know by emailing kids@kidsguidenj.com.
For universal parks and playgrounds, see additional listings under Special Needs Playgrounds.
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
Lyndhurst Town Park
367 Valley Brook Ave., Lyndhurst, 201-804-2482
Spray park, swings, playground structure on soft surface and site for summer "Music under the Stars" concert series.
Van Saun Park
216 Forest Ave., Paramus, 201-262-3771
Playground with multiple-age play areas, sprinkler, picnic areas, zoo, train ride and carousel. See listing for Bergen County Zoo.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
Kip’s Castle Park
22 Crestmont Rd., Montclair, 973-268-3500
Estate grounds open dawn to dusk. April-Oct.: Castle open for first floor self-guided tours Mon.-Thurs. 12-4. The former estate of Frederic Ellsworth Kip is Essex County's newest park encompassing a 9,000 square foot mansion that replicates a medieval Norman castle and 11 acres on the ridge of First Mountain with spectacular views of New York City. The park will become the County's premiere cultural resource center as county offices, public meeting space, museum space and educational programs are developed. Currently, the site for seasonal programming, guided house tours and summer movies.
Littell People’s Park
Memorial Park, Wahler Rd., Livingston, 973-535-7925
Ramps, rings, ladders and slides on woodchip surface within fenced area; sandbox.
Meadowland Park
5 Mead St., South Orange, 973-378-7754
Large park with vast fields, tennis courts, platform tennis, playground, duck pond and the Baird Center housing the South Orange art gallery and recreation department. Site of summer outdoor jazz concerts and community events.
Regatta Playground
South Mountain Reservation, Cherry Lane, West Orange, 973-731-5800
Nautical-themed playground next to Orange Reservoir (fenced) includes slides, swings, bouncy bridges, climbing areas, spiderwebs, seesaws and a spiral spinner atop a soft, rubber surface and Astroturf. Two- and four person swan paddle boats, walking paths and picnic pavilion are all part of the complex. Parking is available across the street or by McLoone's on Northfield Ave. and walk to the park along the paved pathway. Call 973-735-6229 to reserve picnic pavilion.
Taylor Park
78 Main St., Millburn, 973-564-7097
Fenced in playground, ballfields, walking/strolling trails, duck pond, tennis courts, teen center, basketball courts, site for summer concerts.
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
MERCER COUNTY, NJ PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
Marquand Park
68 Lovers Lane, Princeton
17-acre park-arboretum features mostly paved walking trails through woodlands, forest glades and open park land. Playground, picnic area, ballfield and large sandpit with toys.
MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
Dorbrook Recreation Area Sprayground
353 County Rt. 537, Colts Neck, 732-460-1167 x22
Sprayground open from 11am Mon.-Fri. and 10am weekends and holidays mid-May-early Sept. Closes 7:30pm May-July and 7pm Aug.-Sept. Large fenced water playground, umbrellas provide shaded seating. Camps and groups serving individuals with disabilities can visit 9-11am with reservations.
Holmdel Park
44 Longstreet Rd. (GSP exit 114), Holmdel, 732-946-9562
565-acre site features two playgrounds, 10 miles of trails including a half-mile paved loop, picnic areas, fishing pond, cross country course, four tennis courts, arboretum and Historic Longstreet Farm (see listing under Historic Sites).
MORRIS COUNTY, NJ PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
Community Playground of Montville
130 Changebridge Rd., Montville, 973-331-3305
Large fenced, farm-themed playground with separate play areas, six athletic fields, bocce courts, horseshoe pits, basketball courts, picnic pavilion with barbecue grills, community garden plots and restrooms available.
Hedden County Park
124 Reservoir Rd., Randolph, 973-829-8257
Six-acre lake, fishing deck, ballfields, hiking and biking trails, picnic sites and shelter, Indian Falls and playground. Digital trail map available online.
Matthew G. Kantor Memorial Park
915 Valley Rd., Gillette, 908-647-8000 x219
24-acre site includes three tennis courts, basketball, bocci and horsesehoe courts, children's playground designed for ages 2-5, two soccer/lacrosse fields, walking paths, canoe launch and picnic grove at the Passaic River. Restrooms available.
Lewis Morris Park
270 Mendham Rd., Morristown Twp., 973-326-7600
Daily 8am-dusk. 2,196 acres, adjacent to Jockey Hollow features 12 miles of trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use, paracourse fitness circuit, dog park, ballfields, picnic areas, eight-acre Sunrise Lake and Beach Club, and playground in Doe Meadow. The wood and plastic climbing structure includes slides, rings, rope ladder on a woodchip surface. Trail map online.
Loantaka Brook Reservation
468 South St., Morris Township, 973-326-7600
Dawn to dusk. Access trail from Loantaka Way, Kitchell Road, Green Village Road or South St. Five mile paved recreation/bicycle trail from Green Village Rd. in Chatham Township to Seaton Hackney Stables in Morristown travels through scenic woods and along Loantaka Brook. Duck pond at Kitchell Rd. with picnic areas, small playground, ballfields. Playground at South St., also with picnic area and ballfields.
Lurker Park
631 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, 973-428-3091
Tot lot features handicapped-accessible swings and two jungle gyms, one for smaller children.
Roxbury Imagination Station
Horseshoe Lake, 72 Eyeland Ave., Succasunna, 973-448-2015
Fenced-in fortress of wood includes an ocean vessel, rocket ship, climbing nets, bridges, stairways and monkey bars. Separate preschool area includes a doll house, locomotive train slide, rocking horses, swings and seesaw. Seating and picnic tables available. Additional activities include a sprinkler park, fishing, basketball court, baseball and soccer fields, half-mile walking path, and 1.7 mile paved bikeway/walking/running path. A branch of Patriots Path connects with the park and adds a 5-mile path to Chester.
Schooley’s Mountain Park
91 E. Springtown Rd., Washington Twp., 973-326-7631 x2
Lake George with floating bridge, scenic picnic areas, hiking trails, ballfields, mountain biking, fishing and play area near the lake picnic grove. Boathouse, Adirondack-style lodge and natural amphitheater available for rentals.
Shunpike Park Castle Playground
58 Shunpike Rd., Chatham Twp., 973-635-7066
Castle climbing and play structure, swings, slide and rope climb; soccer, baseball fields and basketball court.
Tourne Park
40 McCaffrey Lane & Old Boonton Rd., Denville
Old Denville Rd., Denville, 973-326-7600
500 acre-park includes a bird sanctuary, wildflower trail, ballfield, family picnic areas, group picnic shelter, playground and over 7 miles of trails with picturesque overlook.
SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
Colonial Park
156 Mettlers Rd., East Millstone, 732-873-2695
651-acre park with picnic areas, softball, tennis center, putting course, paddle boats, fishing ponds, gardens, nature trail, 1.4 mile fitness parcourse, and leash-free dog area. Playground features barrier-free equipment.
Duke Island Park
Old York Rd., Bridgewater, 08-722-7779
339-acre park along the North Branch of the Raritan River features picnic areas, prime fishing, softball, bandshell, walking trails, and visitor center. Playground features barrier free equipment.
KidStreet
100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, 908-725-6373
Large shady, wooden play and climbing structure featuring a pirate ship, car, slides, swings, ropes and sandbox. Picnic tables.
Lepp Park
21 Park Ave., Somerville, 908-704-6985
Splash pad and spray park, covered picnic tables, softball field, basketball court, playground, and green space next to the Peters Brook Greenway Bike Path extension.
North Branch Park
355 Milltown Rd., Bridgewater, 908-722-1200
194-acre park along the North Branch of the Raritan River is home to the Somerset County Park Commission administrative offices. Picnic areas, prime fishing, large fields provide space for soccer, softball, flying model aircraft and launching model rockets. Recycled materials play structre for ages 5-12 features swings, slides, bridge, bars and rings.
Pleasant Valley Park
3405 Valley Rd., Basking Ridge, 908-647-6244
Large, pretty park features wooden playground with open climbing structure, pond, picnic shelter, walking/bicycle trails, tennis and paddle tennis courts, fitness trail, athletic fields, amphitheater and community pool.
White Oak Park
235 Baird Rd., Branchburg, 908-526-1300
127-acre park features soccer/lacrosse fields, baseball/softball fields, batting cages, tennis courts, practice wall, basektball court, sand volleyball courts, 1.5 mile walking/jogging path, nature trails, playgrounds, wooden tot lot, pavilion, picnic tables, campfire ring, pond, restrooms and concession stand.
UNION COUNTY, NJ PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS
Brookside Park
1255 Hetfield Ave., Scotch Plains, 908-322-6700 x223
Baseball field, basketball court, preschool playground, picnic area, field house, roller hockey, pond with trail.
Columbia Park
345 Plainfield Ave., Berkeley Heights, 908-464-0550
Ballfields, basketball courts, shuffleboard court, ice rink, practice handball-tennis board, 6 tennis courts, skate park. Children's playground and separate toddler playground. Picnic tables.
Echo Lake Park
Park Dr., Mountainside, 908-527-4900
Playground, picnic area, large field provides space for soccer and softball, fitness trail, fishing, seasonal paddleboat rentals, paved walkway along the linear lake, fenced in Dog Park and amphitheater, site of summer concert series.
Esposito Park
659 Madison Hill Rd., Clark, 908-527-4900
13-acre space includes large fenced-in playground on soft surface, skate park, walking path, fitness stations, two tennis courts, softball/soccer field, shady picnic areas, park benches and restrooms.
Mabie Playground
30 Summit Ave., Summit, 908-277-2932
Two playgrounds, basketball courts, bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits and game tables across from the train station, a short walk from downtown Summit.
Memorial Field
5 Myrtle Ave., Summit, 908-277-2932
Climbing structure with slides, swings, benches, paved walks for bike riding and rollerblading, cinder 1/4 mile track, tennis courts and backboard, basketball courts, ballfields, open space for kite flying, picnic area.
Mindowaskin Park
385 E. Broad St., Westfield, 908-789-4080
Scenic park in downtown Westfield with walking/strolling trail around duck pond, playground and bandstand.
Nomahegan Park
1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford, 908-527-4900
Paved bike/jogging/walking path, fitness circuit, playground, ballfields, pond, picnic area and rest rooms.
Ponderosa Farm Park
1532-1578 Cooper Rd., Scotch Plains, 908-527-4900
22-acre former farmland features plastic farm-themed playground on soft rubber surface, swings, spray fountains, walking trails, two athletic fields, shady picnic area, restrooms, and wifi.
Snyder Avenue Park
216 Snyder Ave., Berkeley Heights, 908-464-0550
Lighted multi-purpose turf field, baseball fields, fenced playground features new equipment on soft, rubber surface and spray park.
Watchung Reservation
The Loop, Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, 908-527-4900
Play and climbing structure with slides, misting devices, soft-impact rubber surfacing and wheelchair-accessible equipment. Open fields, picnic sites (with grills), trails nearby including a trail to Trailside Nature & Science Center and Museum.