Pleasant walk in September. Nice greenery and small pond…read more We came by around 11 am and it was a sweet time to explore.

***2 1/2 stars***…read more There are a lot of people out there who can and do enjoy this park. If you're a birdwatcher, this is a great place to ogle some waterfowl, probably one of the best in the area. Young pups can easily traverse the boardwalks and there's a lot of kid-friendly educational material for them to access along the way, so that's a selling point as well. However, if you're looking for a place to hike, this is one of my least favorite places to do it, and this review is from that specific perspective. I came here on Sunday with my chum and her Wee One for a low-stress 2.9-mile hike. We started in the early afternoon, and it took about 2 1/2 hours. That probably seems inordinately high for the mileage, but it will make sense shortly. Unfortunately, it was cloudy throughout. I've been here once before and to areas of the nearby Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge a handful of times - it's definitely more enjoyable visually when it's sunny out, especially with so much water nearby to conveniently reflect the sunshine. Alas. Our adventure took us on the Yellow Trail from the eastern side of the Environmental Education Center, veering right multiple times and going by Lily Pad Pond and the East Observation Tower. We then headed toward the boardwalk area via the Wood Duck Loop, traversed the Boondocks Boardwalk and headed back on the Red Trail past the Great Swamp Oak to complete a quasi-circular loop. The absolute worst part of hiking here is that it does not matter when the last rainfall occurred - I have been here when it's been dry for a week and, as was the case this time, when it rained the day before. It's soggy and not a lot of fun to hike in and involves a lot of off-trail improvising through sticker bushes that massively slows you down. And if it rained recently? Forget it. Huge swaths of the path are glorified streams. They've spent a lot of time (and I suspect money) on their boardwalk section, but if they're trying to lure hikers in, that yellow trail really needs some TLC. Maybe you can just import some soil in there so it's a little higher, but it's rough going. Same token, the boardwalk is definitely deteriorating in parts. We saw sections that had recently been repaired, but there are still a lot of decaying/mossy boards out there. I don't recall a point where we were seriously concerned that the boardwalk was going to give out underneath us, but it's heading in that direction. Second worst part of hiking here? No pooches allowed. Very sad, and I'm not sure if that rule is in place because of the terrain or out of an abundance of caution for the creatures who live here. But regardless, I did not have the pleasure of seeing any canines enjoying the fresh air. Additionally, there were no bathroom options when we came. They probably have facilities in the Educational Center but that was closed on Sunday. I definitely remember seeing a port-a-potty off to the side on my prior visit, but it wasn't there this time. One positive though that deserves mention - the trail markings are excellent. I think some of the trails could be better assigned/distributed (there were multiple occasions when the yellow trail would fork, but it would be yellow both ways). We had a specific hiking itinerary but I'm sure that can be confusing for others. I'd just make one of the prongs of the trail fork a different colored trail. But regardless, every intersection was carefully noted and most had very visually appealing signs. I'm not crazy about a lot of the hiking options in this area (mostly because the terrain isn't challenging and there aren't a lot of fun viewpoints), but I'd recommend Jockey Hollow over this. That said, if your idea of a great Sunday is staring at herons, by all means make the trek over here.

Starting to the right of the restroom building, we took the Grand Loop Trail (Yellow) to the Pink…read more(K) trail, jumped on White (W), Teal (H) and Pink (K) for a few minutes before ending up on the Falling Waters Trail (B). Saw the beautiful waterfalls during our 2+ mile hike. The trail is well marked and pretty easy however around the waterfalls it gets a fair bit rocky and more difficult. We did the hike with two kids, so it's overall not that hard.

A beautiful venue. One of my closest friends got married here this past weekend and it was…read moreabsolutely perfect! The staff were great in helping us with set-up and facilitating the events while the backdrop was everything a person could love for a fall setting. Something about the glowing golden leaves, the massive fireplace, and the all around good feelings made the place seem like Imladris, the House of Elrond from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings." Highly recommend this place and the staff!

Came to pickleball courts at 7:15am and it is perfect 70 degrees. Courts are open but not a single…read moresoul playing. What a waste of great pickleball and tennis courts! In most other locations like this facility, courts would be humming with great players, but not at Buccleach Park. :(:(:(

Great park for recreations. You'll find the following: _…read moreBasketball Court _ Tennis Court _ Volleyball _ Baseball Field _Running/ Bike paths _Playground for kids _Workout set up There's ample space for other activities and parking. My only complaint is the inconsistent cleanliness. There are times when the park has trash everywhere and the porta potty can be smelled all over.

There's nothing like a early Saturday morning walk at the lake. Such a lovely scenery.read more

Five stars for the GEESE who live here. I just love them. They're so fun to watch as they swim and…read morebathe and bask and splash around and honk as fly come in for their expert water landing. That's the main reason I come to this park just to watch them and photograph them. I'm hoping they'll have babies in the spring. That would be adorable. Who doesn't love baby geese?

This is such a lovely park. There is a skatepark, a walking area, several play areas for kids,…read morethere is a giant pond where a bunch of geese hangout. They also have a dog park, and a public fire pit! I have never seen a park with a firepit! I love going for walks here and swingin on the swings. There is also a decently clean bathroom but usually no toilet paper.

Recently, I wrote a review for Harry Dunham Park, which is also in Basking Ridge, about a mile or 2…read moredown the road from here. That park is actually closer to where I live, but this is where I prefer to come. I discovered it a few years ago. I always thought it was in Warren, but I guess technically it's Basking Ridge. My hours were somewhat wacky. In the past, back in the day, I had jogged at the high school track...even the local cemetery...but, given my increasingly bizarre hours, that wasn't really practical anymore. This park was a place where I could run early in the morning, or in the evening. Maybe it's just a personal preference, but I really like this place. It doesn't have some of the amenities that Harry Dunham has, but I think I can live without disc golf, if you wanna know the truth... I can't really tell how large the park is--- if you walk around the circumference of it, I'd guess it's approximately 2 miles? It has several athletic fields; some are obviously for baseball, the larger ones in the upper portion of the park look like they were designed for soccer (Pingry School is just up the road from the park, and I know the Italian Championship Soccer Team stayed there some years ago to practice...I wouldn't have known that...I'm as interested in soccer as I am in disc golf...but an Italian-born co-worker was a soccer enthusiast, and he told me). There's ample parking in the upper portion parallel to Liberty Corner Road, but I prefer coming down past a building used by the road department, where there's another parking lot-- this one is smaller but usually less crowded (unless it's a spring/summer evening and the athletic fields are being used by local sports teams, adult and juvenile). I'm not much of a jogger anymore, but I'll start with a jog, run as far on the path as I can before I become winded, walk some, jog a little more, walk even more, jog, pause to dry heave in the bushes, stagger walk until I recover, walk the rest of the way shakily, cautiously back to my car. It's ok. At least I'm still doing SOMETHING healthy, and the surrounding countryside is gorgeous (whatever season it is, although you have to watch the ice on the paths in the winter); it's always refreshing and restorative, whether I'm in shape or not. There are 2 small buildings at opposite ends of the park, that look like they have water fountains, and I guess have bathrooms as well (I haven't had to avail myself of them, so I can't really be sure). There are twisting paths that branch off from the park and wend their way through the woods, and I always like to take advantage of these. One time, I went off on a path that could have been a deer path, which twisted its way down a steep hillside, and came to a gurgling stream. Not exactly the Rocky Mountains, but I was impressed. Not sure where the stream leads (I've lived in Somerset County since I was in my teens, but I guess I'm still a Passaic County city boy at heart), but one day soon I'm going to have to spend more time and follow it along towards wherever it leads (Bedminster?). It's beautiful, tranquil, and occasionally even exhilarating, abundant with natural grandeur and loveliness. If there's such a thing as "God's Country," this could qualify. If there's a down side, it can get too crowded, especially on spring/summer evenings, when the sports teams and their "fans" monopolize the parking lot and playing fields. And there are a'holes who walk their dogs, let the dogs shite on the walking paths, and don't bother cleaning up. But you can't hold the park responsible for that. There are a'holes everywhere, sad to say. Even in bucolic, beautiful Somerset County.

Mountain Park offers walkers well-maintained paths with gorgeous views of New Jersey's rolling…read morehills and plants. There are a few paths you can take; some are more wooded than others. Even when the park is more crowded at peak times or during sporting events, there is enough space for everyone to enjoy and have some privacy while walking.

Have you played Disc Golf yet? Most people I ask say they'd never heard of it. I started when I was…read morea freshman in college at UM in College Park Maryland, rumored to be the first Disc course on the east coast at the time (1982). I've played all over the country now. Harry Dunham is a beautiful hilly park. Great for walking, picnic Pavillion, soccer fields. But twisting through the park is one of the best disc golf courses I've ever played and I refer to it as my home course. You can easily play 9 holes in 90 minutes or less. Warmer weather can get a little backed up but not bad. Give it a try! You can play with any disc you're comfortable with but there are hundreds of professional disc companies styles and weights. After you play a bit you'll notice you like certain throws and conditions. I'm hoping to bring more Disc Golf reviews to Yelp. It's a great activity for the whole family. Playing once a week is awesome exercise. The cool thing about Harry Dunham is it's easy to get to, quick to play, diverse holes, and you could easily play a few times a week and not get bored. Come play disc golf at Harry Dunham Park or one of the dozens of other courses in the area.

I'm actually not the biggest fan-- I don't come here all that often-- but, objectively speaking,…read moreit's a nice park that definitely has a lot to offer. It's not far from where I live, and I used to jog here occasionally with a friend (she lived within a half mile of it). However, she got married, moved away, and I personally prefer Mountain Park, a mile or 2 up the road in Warren (no Yelp entry on it, so I haven't been able to write about it), when I do a solo jog (or a "fast walk" these days; my knees aren't what they used to be). If I were being purely subjective, it might rate a star lower because I come here so rarely now. But, in the interests of being objective-- well, its got a lot to offer. I can't imagine anyone not liking it. There's ample parking if you drive here. There are a couple of athletic fields, there's a playground for kids, there's a covered pavilion or gazebo (actually, if I remember right, I think there are 2) where cooking can be done and that I think can be rented out for groups. Evidently, there's also an indoor facility that's available, although I've never paid much attention to it. At the opposite end of the park, there's a roller/hockey rink set-up. When I was last "fast walking" in the park, a fairly large Asian group was having some sort of dance class/exercise session there, which was interesting to observe if not actually participate in. Throughout the park are benches to take a breather on, or, if you're with someone, have a conversation on, or maybe just to sit on and "people watch," if that's your thing. Ever hear of "disc golf?" No? I haven't either, but the park has the necessary set-up for it, if it's your thing. It does have its fair share of adherents, judging by the people participating in it during the spring/summer months. They have a nice 9/11 memorial in the center area of the park. My favorite aspect of it all is the wooded area that surrounds much of the park; it has a nice, well-tended path (paved with wood chips) winding its way through at least a portion of it. When I was last here, the sun was setting with a haunting beauty, its rays filtering down through the trees and becoming lost in the thick foliage of the forest itself as twilight deepened, and it was like being in nature's grand cathedral--- I'm essentially an agnostic, but if I do have anything within me that could quality as religious feelings, I have them when I'm out in the midst of such ethereal loveliness and splendor. I guess it's a little TOO popular, in my humble opinion; it always seems a little too crowded for my taste (then again, that could be dependent upon what time of day you go here, or what day of the week/weekend you go). Sometimes you have to dodge kids barreling down the paths on their bicycles, or jump to avoid a "projectile" coming at your head from one of the overly-enthusiastic "disc golf" guys. But, this is, objectively or subjectively, a nice park, and it offers a lot for people with families, groups, the athletically inclined, or those who might just want to take a meandering, meditative walk through a pleasant rural setting by themselves. I'm not entirely sure who Harry Dunham is (or was), but he has a nice park named after him. We should all be so lucky!

Great open trail for walking or hiking. The parking can get a bit crowded when there are soccer…read moregames and baseball games going on. But the trails are usually clear. The trails aren't lit, so you're better off coming while the sun is still out. If you walk on the backside of the soccer fields there's a small bridge,which is my favorite place to walk by. There's even small playground area with a mini rockwall at this park. Theres also a dog park in the front. The bathrooms are usually locked most times of year until it's soccer/baseball season. If you're coming from Adams Ln you can turn into the park from there, but you'll have to exit onto 130 because it's a one way. I love the proximity of this park, it's great for a post-work stroll.

I enjoy this park, it is very close to me. Nice place to walk/run when the weather is nice. I give…read moreit 3 stars because it isn't really visually appealing. Most importantly you have to go when you know it will be dry ground. I went for a walk on 2/5/19, I didn't expect so have to step on so many muddy puddles and just very wet gravel all around. It wasn't raining for a few days but I know the weather was warmer, we had some am fog. But it was a splotchy mess. They should improve there grounds. You walk on gravel surface which by the way, enters my sneakers each time. I have to shake out my sneakers. It was very muddy this time around. And after just a normal rain there are so many puddles.