Montgomery Township: Parks, Arboretum and Trails

Montgomery Township offers several distinct destinations for spending time outdoors. Skillman Park and Montgomery Park can be compared by size and landscape; the arboretum combines a collection of tree and shrub species with trails for different activities. The Opie's Mill Trail focuses on a specific section, its surface, and its route. There is also a fenced dog run at Skillman Park. This gives you a practical way to distinguish among plant diversity, activity on trails, a clearly designated area for dogs, and a trail with a specified length.

Parks and Dog Run

Skillman Park covers 247 acres and is located in the Skillman section of Montgomery Township. Montgomery Park covers 100 acres and is located on Harlingen Road; its varied landscape offers a different focus. In a direct comparison of their areas, Skillman Park is 147 acres larger than Montgomery Park. Skillman Park also has a 2-acre dog run at Parking Lot A. It is fenced, off-leash, and divided into areas for small and large dogs. The off-leash designation and division apply to this dog run. If you are planning a visit with a dog, Parking Lot A provides a specific landmark.

Arboretum: Species and Trails

The natural area of the Montgomery Township Arboretum covers 50 acres. Its growing collection includes more than 150 tree and shrub species; some are quite rare, and all are native to east of the Mississippi River. The arboretum has accessible trails for walking, jogging, and cycling. From the lower parking lot of Montgomery Veterans Memorial Park, the arboretum can be reached by following signs and crossing a bridge. The natural area thus combines plant diversity with several clearly identified activity options.

Opie's Mill Trail: Distance and Route

The section of the Opie's Mill Trail from the trailhead at Mill Pond to the end of the trail is 6/10 of a mile long. Half of the trail is paved with asphalt, and the other half is a boardwalk. In addition to its length, the change in surface is another point to consider when choosing a route. The trail runs along the Pike Run floodplain, which is bordered by an Osage-orange hedge. It is also part of the trail network that continues from Montgomery Park through the Mill Pond Soccer Complex to River Road. This places a defined trail section alongside the trail's role in a larger network.

Existing Trails and Planned Network

Montgomery's planned multi-use trail network is intended to connect parks, farmland, historic sites and districts, as well as residential neighborhoods. The connections are planned along scenic stream corridors and preserved upland areas. This differs from the Opie's Mill Trail, which is part of a trail network running from Montgomery Park through the Mill Pond Soccer Complex to River Road. This distinction in timing is important: the trail is part of an existing network, while the multi-use trail network is planned.

Discover more destinations: Raritan, North Plainfield, Bernardsville, Hillsborough, Liberty Corner, South Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Somerville

For the broader travel overview: Somerset.