The Middlesex County Department of Parks and Recreation is a vital player in the recreational abundance present in the county with nearly 20 parks made up of about 7,000 acres. The parks in the county are equipped with amenities such as boat ramps, soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, baseball and softball fields, picnic groves, playgrounds, ponds, tracks and paths for walking/running/biking, street and roller hockey rinks, football fields, bocce courts, performance and observation gazebos, theaters, handball courts and cricket pitches.
http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/parksrecreation/parks.asp

Birding and hiking in Middlesex County

Cheesequake State Park is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. The park offers open fields, salt and freshwater marshes, a white cedar swamp, a sample of the pine barrens, and an outstanding example of a northeastern hardwood forest. The park is 1,274 acres. The local birding list includes 186 species within the park. Enjoy swimming, hiking, picnicking, camping, fishing and biking. For more information please call 732-566-2161.

Perth Amboy Harbor Walk-Waterfront resources under development as part of the Harbor Walk include the 1904 Ferry Slip to Tottenville, Municipal Marina, 1929 Armory, 1880 Raritan Yacht club headquarters, 1880 Great Beds of Light and 1780 Kearny College.

Plainsboro Preserve: 80 Scotts Corner Road, Cranbury NJ Phone: 609-897-9400. Hours of Operation are Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday noon to 5:00pm. Closed Mondays. Trails are open daily dawn to dusk. The Sanctuary is closed Thanksgiving. The preserve is a 1,000 acre natural area that supports a diversity of wildlife with one of the larest lakes in the area. In addition, you will find a nature center with nature exhibits, a reference library, a nature store, and over five miles of trails. Hiking daily-over five miles of trails traverse an interesting variety of habitats.