After the lottery, picnic dates can be reserved by mail or in person. Open Grove Areas are for small family picnics and do not require a permit. Groups that wish to picnic in a reservable area will be required to obtain a permit. There will be no alcohol permits issued for picnics using the open grove areas. Under no circumstance will a picnic date be held without a completed application and payment.

Fee Schedule For County Residents:

Fee Schedule For Non-County Residents:

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 who 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 609-448-3694, within 48 hours after their scheduled picnic with their request for 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 will not provide sports equipment.

Refuse/Recyclables:
Refuse and recyclables must be placed in proper containers.

Vehicle deliveries:
Vehicles used for delivery of food and beverages must be moved to parking areas within one half hour after starting time issued on permit.

Emergency Assistance:
Dial-#911

Park Rangers Assistance:
(609) 443-8956 or 443-8974 – Ranger Headquarters
to contact a Ranger seven days a week, 7:00 a.m. to dusk

Sheriff’s Department:
(609) 989-6111 - Monday - Friday 7:00 am to Dusk

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/.

• Valley Road Picnic Area was the first picnic area ever used by the County.
  
  
• The grounds were developed in 1959 and the facility was used full time starting in 1960.
  
  
• Located off of Route 29 North on Valley Road in Hopewell.
  

• Part of Mercer County Park in West Windsor.
  
  
• Located off Dutch Neck-Edinburg Road, Mercer Park East.
  
  
• Has separate entrance and is easily accessible while being extremely private.
  
  

• Part of Mercer County Park in West Windsor.
  
  
• Users enjoy panoramic views of Lake Mercer and within walking distance of the Marina.
  

• Adjacent to the Princeton Country Club Golf Course in West Windsor off of Route 1 using Emmons Drive.
  

• Part of Rosedale park which encompasses 472 acres including a 38-acre lake stocked with trout.
  
  
• Rosedale Park is located in Hopewell Township, off Federal City Road, near the junction of Blackwell Road.
  
  
• This park has two picnic areas, a family picnic area, which is open to the public, and a group picnic area available only by reservation.