Summer isn’t over yet! There’s still plenty of time to enjoy all the outdoor fun Middlesex County has to offer.
With 19 County parks and three County golf courses, there’s no shortage of sports fields and courts, walking and jogging paths, and other amenities available for you to enjoy. Whether you want to play a game of softball or pickleball (or tennis, soccer, volleyball, etc.), go for a run, take a nice stroll, or simply sit on a bench to chat with a friend or take in the views, our County parks have something for everyone.
Last year we launched our Bark Rangers program, which invites dog owners and their furry family members to discover our parks and open spaces through a series of fun, dog-friendly activities. County residents and their dogs who complete all of the activities can earn matching Middlesex County bandanas, while supplies last! New this year is our Junior Rangers program for Middlesex County residents, which encourages children to explore, play, and learn to protect our County parks through fun, hands-on activities and challenges.
In addition to our County parks, the Middlesex County Greenway offers a 10-foot-wide paved trail for walking, jogging, and biking. Located along a historic portion of the Lehigh Valley rail corridor, this scenic open space spans 3.5 miles and 48 acres through Metuchen, Edison, and Woodbridge.
One of my favorite summer activities is seeing a show at Plays-in-the-Park. For 63 years, audiences have been entranced by these Broadway caliber performances at our outdoor amphitheater in beautiful Roosevelt Park. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors age 60 and over, and free for children under 12. If you haven’t been to a show this summer, there’s still time — the musical Grease runs July 30 to August 9! Another great opportunity to enjoy live outdoor entertainment is our annual Music-in-the-Park free summer concert series. With talented musicians performing at scenic parks located throughout Middlesex County and dedicated shows for children, there’s no shortage of musical fun for residents and visitors to enjoy!
As part of our FolkLIVE Series, Middlesex County is proud to host the New Jersey Folk Festival 50th Anniversary on August 23 at Davidson’s Mill Pond Park. This free celebration of New Jersey folklife, folk arts, and traditions will feature a full day of musical performances across multiple stages, an engaging heritage area, activities for all ages, garden tours, folk and agricultural talks, food from local vendors, and more. And for history buffs, Middlesex County’s East Jersey Old Town Village is a free open-air museum located in Johnson Park in Piscataway. Staffed with historic interpreters and fun for all ages, the Village is a collection of original, reconstructed, and replicated Raritan Valley area structures from the 18th and 19th centuries.
We live in the most beautiful and culturally diverse county in New Jersey, and I want our residents to take advantage of all we have to offer. Visit MiddlesexCountyNJ.gov or check out our Outdoor Guide at DiscoverMiddlesex.com/OutdoorGuide for information on events, activities, and amenities so you can plan your next summer (or autumn, winter, or spring!) adventure in Middlesex County!
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