Online Picnic Reservations  
  • Online Picnic Reservation starts February 19, 2013 at 12:00pm.
  • You can create a Community Pass account today!
  • Once you have created a Username and Password, you can log-in and make a reservation using either MasterCard or Visa.
  • Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Online Registration is highly recommended.
  • Reservations can be made in person by visiting the Recreation/Events Center in Mercer County Park at 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550 between the hours of 8:30am-4:30pm starting February 19th, at noon.

Mercer County Park Commission Picnic Areas are operated and maintained by the Mercer County Park Commission
Recreation and Events Center
1638 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor NJ 08550
(609) 448-1854
email: kdrulis@mercercounty.org
  • Mercer County Park Commission Picnic Area Rules and Regulations
    Reservation of Picnic Areas and Availability:
    The Mercer County Park Commission is currently in the process of automating the picnic reservation procedures to better serve the public. More information will be made available prior to the end of January. The picnic packet is now available for more information on the availability of our picnic areas. Please check back on this page for updated information as it becomes available.

    Open grove areas are for small family picnics and do not require a permit. Groups that wish to picnic in a reserved area will be required to obtain a permit. There will be no alcohol permits issued for picnics using the open grove areas. Under no circumstances will a picnic date be held without a completed application and payment.


    Fee Schedule For County Residents:

    Mon-Thu  Fri Sat/Sun/Holiday
    Mercer Park East 

    $125

    $200

    $275

    Mercer Park West 

    $125

    $200

    $275

    Princeton Country Club

    $125

    $200

    $275

    Rosedale Park

    $125

    $200

    $275

    Valley Road 

    $125

    $200

    $275

    Fee Schedule For Non-County Residents:

    Mon-Thu  Fri Sat/Sun/Holiday
    Mercer Park East 

    $200

    $275

    $375

    Mercer Park West 

    $200

    $275

    $375

    Princeton Country Club

    $200

    $275

    $375

    Rosedale Park

    $200

    $275

    $375

    Valley Road 

    $200

    $275

    $375

    Exemptions:
    Exemptions apply Monday through Thursday only and each group is permitted one exempt picnic per month. The following groups are eligible for an exempt picnic: Grammar, Middle and High Schools; Churches; and Senior Citizen Groups.

    Cancellations:
    Request for reimbursement of fee paid must be made to the Park Commission Office at least one month prior to the scheduled picnic date. Refunds will be issued to permit holders that submit a written request and return their originally issued permit with one month cancellation notice.

    Inclement weather:
    In the event of inclement weather, the permit holder is responsible for contacting the Park Commission at (609) 448-1854 or email at kdrulis@mercercounty.org, within 48 hours after their scheduled picnic to request reimbursement. The Park Commission will try to accommodate permit holder with another date, or a refund will be given. No refunds will be given if the Park Commission is not notified within the 48-hour time frame.

    Hours:
    Picnic areas are open 10:00 am to sunset.

    Alcoholic Beverages:
    Alcoholic beverage consumption is limited to moderate amounts of beer and wine during a meal. Beer must be in cans and wine in boxes only. Consumption is restricted to designated picnic areas only. One individual must be responsible for compliance with rules pertaining to the consumption of beer and wine.

    Sports Equipment:
    The Park Commission does not provide sports equipment.

    NJ Fishing License Information
    Anyone who is interested in obtaining a fresh water fishing license must contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife.
    For Internet license/permit assistance please e-mail njwebmaster@als-xtn.com or call 1-888-773-8450.
    For further information, please click on the following link:
    http://njfishandwildlife.com/fishneed.htm

    Recyclables:
    All recyclables must be placed in proper containers.

    Vehicle deliveries:

    Vehicles used for delivery of food and beverages must be moved to parking areas within 30 minutes of event starting time issued on permit.

    Emergency Assistance:

    Dial 911

    Park Ranger's Assistance:
    (609) 443-8956 or 448-8974; Monday - Friday 7am - 4pm

    Sheriff’s Department:
    (609) 989-6111 - Monday - Friday 4pm - 7pm; Weekends - 24hrs. a day

    The Following are prohibited in Designated Picnic Areas:

    • Disorderly Conduct
    • Gambling on premises
    • Sale of Alcoholic Beverages
    • Glass Beverages
    • Egg-throwing Contest
    • Pony Rides
    • Tents of any type

    No person shall call or hold any meetings or give any concert or public entertainment of any kind within a County Park or Recreation Area without first having obtained written permission in advance from the Director of Recreation and Events, or his duly designated representative, no later that one (1) month before the proposed date of use.

    No person shall use loudspeakers, public address systems or amplifiers within a County Park or Recreation Area without first having obtained written permission in advance from the Director of Recreation and Events, or his duly designated representative. Nor shall any portable radio compact disc player or musical instrument be played in such a manner to create a nuisance.

    All picnic areas are operated and maintained by the
    Mercer County Park Commission
    Recreation and Events Center
    1638 Old Trenton Road
    West Windsor, NJ 08550

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  • Hours and General Information

    Contact Information-Picnic Hotline (609) 448-1947.
    Hours: Picnic areas are open 10:00 am to sunset.
    For more detailed information or to download a Picnic Packet complete with Application please visit the web site at http://nj.gov/counties/mercer/commissions/park/.
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  • Valley Road Park Picnic Area



    Located in Hopewell Township, Valley Road Picnic Area is a 19-acre facility in its natural state equipped with a 30-foot by 60-foot pavilion that includes 2 charcoal cooking grills, one barbecue pit, electricity, and running water.
    Park Amenities
    • Can accommodate up to 300 people
    • 25 picnic tables under the pavilion
    • 16 park benches scattered throughout the area
    • 12 electrical boxes
    • Softball Field
    • Basketball Court
    • Volleyball Court
    • Quoits pit
    • Children’s play area
    • Permanent restrooms
    • Ample parking
    • Trash/Recycling containers on premises
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  • Mercer County Park East Picnic Area



    Located off Dutch Neck-Edinburg Road in West Windsor Township, Mercer Park East can be reserved for any day of the week. The area includes a 30-foot by 60-foot pavilion with 4 charcoal cooking grills, electricity, and running water.
    Park Amenities
    • Can accommodate up to 300 people
    • 10 picnic tables under pavilion
    • 7 electrical boxes
    • 1 water fountain
    • Softball Field (2 benches on field)
    • Volleyball Court
    • Quoits pit
    • Children’s play area
    • Walking Trail
    • Restroom improvements with handicap accessibility
    • Ample parking
    • Trash/Recycling containers on premises
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  • Mercer County Park West Picnic Area



    Located alongside Lake Mercer and within walking distance of the Marina, is the Mercer Park West Picnic Area. The area includes a 30-foot by 60-foot pavilion and is equipped with 1 large and 1 small charcoal cooking grill, electricity, and running water.
    Please note that when reserving this area, you are reserving only the pavilion with the tables and grills. The adjacent grills and playground equipment are open to the public.
    Park Amenities
    • Can accommodate up to 100 people
    • 14 picnic tables under the pavilion and scattered throughout picnic area
    • 7 electrical boxes
    • 1 water fountain
    • Benches overlooking Lake Mercer
    • Restroom improvements with handicap accessibility
    • Ample parking
    • Trash/Recycling containers on premises

    *Anyone 16 years or older who wants to fish New Jersey’s fresh waters must purchase a fishing license through the state.

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  • Princeton Country Club



    Located in West Windsor Township, the Princeton Country Club Picnic Area can be reserved for any day of the week. Adjacent to the Princeton Golf Course, this picnic area is ideal for a picnic/golf outing. The picnic area includes two newly constructed pavilions equipped with 2 charcoal cooking grills, electricity, and running water.
    Park Amenities
    • Can accommodate up to 300 people
    • 24-foot by 65-foot pavilion
    • 24-foot by 42-foot cook stand
    • 30 picnic tables under the pavilions and scattered throughout picnic area
    • 11 electrical boxes
    • 2 water fountains
    • 3 beverage sinks
    • Softball Field
    • Volleyball Court
    • Quoits pit
    • Children’s play area
    • Permanent restrooms
    • Ample Parking
    • Trash/Recycling containers on premises
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  • Rosedale Park & Picnic Area



    Located in Hopewell Township, Rosedale Park comprises 472 acres including a 38-acre lake stocked with trout. The park has two picnic areas, a family picnic area, which is open to the public, and a group picnic area available by reservation.
    The family picnic area is situated alongside the lake and has picnic tables, charcoal grills and children’s play area.
    The group picnic area includes two newly constructed pavilions equipped with 2 charcoal cooking grills, electricity, and running water.
    Park Amenities
    • Can accommodate up to 300
    • 40 foot by 44-foot pavilion
    • 20 foot by 40-foot cook stand
    • 30 picnic tables
    • 11 park benches scattered throughout area
    • Softball Field
    • Basketball Court
    • Volleyball Court
    • Children’s play area
    • Walking trail along lake
    • 10 electrical boxes
    • 4 beverage sinks
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