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Paper Mill Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 622 Google reviews · Running trail in Newark, Delaware · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Paper Mill 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.

PavedDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parking

Clean, active park featuring tennis and basketball courts and a playground.

What runners say about Paper Mill Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (622 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Nice clean park, tennis courts basketball courts, running trail with exercises stations two pavilions for parties with restrooms and grills and two playgrounds.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 4 mentions

“It’s a nice place to take a walk, 5k run, (pavement ) walk the dog, play volleyball and basketball as well.”

Nice clean park, tennis courts basketball courts, running trail with exercises stations two pavilions for parties with restrooms and grills and two playgrounds. Playgrounds are a little outdated but still nice to see an actual metal slide and monkey bars. Also has a pond in the back of the park.

★★★★☆ — Ryan , Jul 2024

Great place to hoop, take your dog out, play tennis, go for a walk, and even workout! There are exercise stations 'poradically placed in the pleasant park. Definitely recommend killing an hour here. My dog BillyBeans loved it here!

★★★★★ — Rhys , Aug 2021

Very nice park! It is well kept, and Roxy loves walking me. Lots of great smells. plenty of parking, basketball courts, tennis courts, exercise stations around the walking paths, fishing ponds,great playground with two picnic pavilion with bathroom, you must reserve with New Castle County parks.

★★★★★ — Don , May 2025

Nice park for a little walk, jogging and dog walk. Plenty of parking space. Nice kids play area, tennis and basketball court and 2 pavilions with barbecue for a little picnic. * Plenty of parking space.

★★★★☆ — Sherin , Jan 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 622 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 7 mentions

“Weekends and parking when the weather is nice get pretty busy and parking gets limited.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 5 mentions

“It’s a nice place to take a walk, 5k run, (pavement ) walk the dog, play volleyball and basketball as well.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 4 mentions

“A nice small county park with paved walkways around tge perimeter.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Nice clean park, tennis courts basketball courts, running trail with exercises stations two pavilions for parties with restrooms and grills and two playgrounds.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“Pickel ball courts would also add another sport that would become accessible through this great park.”

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Plan your run at Paper Mill Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • 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.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitenewcastlede.gov
  • Social Facebook

Where to find Paper Mill Park

1050 Paper Mill Rd, Newark, DE 19711

Get directions

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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.