Question about dog parks in New Jersey

[L.M.]

We live in central jersey, southern Middlesex county, and wanted to know if there are any dog parks to avoid.  There are tons of dog parks in this area and in Monmouth and Ocean county, but I've heard pros and cons about many of them...more negatives than positives unfortunately.  We are trying the Rocky Top Dog Park today in Princeton area and hopefully that goes well.  Just wondering if anyone has other recommendations for parks in this area?  Our goldendoodle turned 1 yesterday and plays extremely well with other dogs, but we've never taken him to an actual dog park yet because of all the stories we've heard.   Any suggestions would be much appreciated! =)  Thanks! 

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

I have not had any bad experiences at any of the central NJ parks. We've been to the following and enjoy them all:

Rocky Top, Thompson Park (Holmdel), Thompson Park (Jamesburgh), Veterans Park Dog Park (Hamilton)

There is also a dog beach in Manasquan (it's in the inlet). Dexter loves to go swimming there, but it is not fenced in.

Enjoy your day - the weather is beautiful!!

[L.M.]

Thanks so much! We went to Rocky Top today and our boy LOVED it! He is slowly trying the pond they have but has not made his way in entirely yet. We will definitely be going back there!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

glad to hear you had a great experience. We were only there once, for a romp, and my girls loved it. Me, not so much - WOL!. Came home full of mud but it was worth it since it was so much fun watching them!

[L.M.]

haha yes I completely ruined my sneakers yesterday from all the mud! Seamus is still tired from his romp there, which made the trip....and my muddy sneakers....completely worth it!

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Hi! We are in New Brunswick and most frequently go to the Highland Park dog park in Donaldson Park. We have had good experiences there and the owners seem to be really attentive. We have only been to Rocky Top for doodle romps and Whopper definitely needs a bath after going there. We have also been to Colonial Park (Somerset I think) which was a big space but when we went was not separated by size. We have good friends who go to Mercer Park a lot and seem to like it but we haven't been there yet.

[Loril Hawk]

Did you get some pictures?

Loril

[L.M.]

I forgot the camera, but we will be returning to the park this weekend and will be sure to take some pictures then. I was so happy Seamus did really well with the other dogs...he was a little scared at first but warmed up right away. I would love to be a part of another doodle romp there!!

[Loril Hawk]

I am going on Saturday with Cody and Colter. I'm looking forward to it!!!

[L.M.]

Great! Let me know what time you are going and we can meet up!

[Loril Hawk]

Puppy play is at 2:00--so I was thinking somewhere between noon and 2:00. What time were you thinking of going?

[L.M.]

We normally go around 12 as well so hopefully we see you there!

[Loril Hawk]

Lindsay, are you just paying as you go or did you get a "package" plan? It's pretty expensive, isn't it? I think I will only do the pay as I go, limiting me to Saturday and Sunday.

Loril