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Donaldson Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,433 Google reviews · Running trail in Highland Park, New Jersey · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Donaldson Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
90-acre riverfront park provides sports fields & courts, picnic groves, a dog park & 2 playgrounds.
What runners say about Donaldson Park
“This is one of the most beautiful, well maintained, vast sized and clean parks you will find in the Middlesex county.”
“Beautiful park for walking, has plenty of exercise equipment on the health trail, two playgrounds, and lots of places to sit.”
This is one of my favorite parks because it is massive and there’s water next to it. This is the type of park where you play hide and seek with your child and you may never find him again.
This is one of the most beautiful, well maintained, vast sized and clean parks you will find in the Middlesex county. We have been here regularly for various purposes - walking, taking our kid to the play area, playing basketball or tennis. This is one of the few parks that also has a pickleball facility.
Flat, easy walk close to the beautiful Raritan River. Two mile loop around the park with paved surfaces and clean restrooms available. Tennis courts and child playground areas are very popular.
Have been there for snow sledding many times during the snow season. The slope isnt very steep but its good and long enough for the kids to enjoy. My son loves going there during snow days, especially when the fresh snow falls. The walk up hill is also not too difficult, overall great place for kids in snow
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful park for walking, has plenty of exercise equipment on the health trail, two playgrounds, and lots of places to sit.”
“This park is very large it has many football ground, tennis court, dog park, Rariton river, picnic area, basketball 🏀”
“Two mile loop around the park with paved surfaces and clean restrooms available.”
“Two mile loop around the park with paved surfaces and clean restrooms available.”
“Two mile loop around the park with paved surfaces and clean restrooms available.”
“The parking is in pockets in different parts of the park and easily accessible from Highland Park Main Street.”
Plan your run at Donaldson Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitemiddlesexcountynj.gov
- Phone(732) 745-3900
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–8 PM |
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