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North Branch Park Playground in Bridgewater NJ (with Photos)

North Branch Park playground in Bridgewater offers a fun playground with a variety of activities for kids of all ages. It sits in a beautiful county park that allows any playground visit to be part of a full day trip to Somerset County.

North Branch Park Playground in Bridgewater NJ - WIDE image - front of playground structure

10 Things to Know About North Branch Park Playground in Bridgewater

As part of our challenge to write about 100 New Jersey playgrounds in 100 days we bring you the details about North Branch Park Playground, a playground in Bridgewater. We first visited this playground in 2013. I returned this past July 2022 to have my own look at the playground. The equipment has not changed but with this updated review we provide new pictures and details about this Central Jersey playground.

Where is North Branch Park located?

North Branch Park is located at 355 Milltown Road in Bridgewater in Somerset County. The park is part of the Somerset County park system.

North Branch Park Playground in Bridgewater NJ - WIDE image - back of structure

What kind of playground equipment does the North Branch Park have?

When you first make your way to the playground you’ll be greeted with a large playground structure that encompasses slides, climbing features, a tunnel, and some nooks and crannies to play. Behind that sits a moveable platform and the swing structure.

North Branch Park Playground in Bridgewater NJ - WIDE image - back of structure

Are there swings?

There was one swing structure with 2 traditional swings, 2 baby and 2 accessible swings. During our July visit, it was a very popular spot to be.

Are there slides?

The playground has a total of 6 slides ranging in height. All but one of the slides are part of side-by-side slides. The non-side-by-side slide is a tall narrow straight slide.

What special features does the playground offer?

The playground has bridges, tunnels, monkey bars, and various climbing elements for kids to enjoy. Several balancing features can also be found throughout the playground.

Moving platform

Similar to the C O Johnson Park Playground in Byram, this playground has one of those moving platforms children sit on which can be moved by manually rotating a bar. It’s a great ride for the kids and quite a workout for the parents! This one is set up so the crank can be cranked from either a standing position or while seated in a wheelchair.

North Branch Park Playground in Bridgewater NJ - Features - moving platform 1 WIDE image

What kind of ground cover does the playground have?

The ground cover is wood mulch.

North Branch Park Playground in Bridgewater NJ - Features - climbing features TALL image

Is the playground at North Branch Park accessible?

Accessibility is a bit limited at this playground. There are 2 accessible swings and a ramp and wide platforms on the equipment, but there are not a lot of sensory play features on the equipment. There was a panel with a maze and another with a steering wheel.

Is there shade available at the North Branch Park Playground? 

There is a shady nook where the wide platform meets a step to go up a level.

North Branch Park Playground in Bridgewater NJ - Features - SHADY spot WIDE image

Underneath the equipment is two purple hanging arches where kids can hang to get out from the sun. There is not a pavilion or gazebo near the playground but there are picnic tables under the trees.

North Branch Park Playground in Bridgewater NJ - Features - rope climbing wall with shady seats under playground

Where is parking for the North Branch Park Playground? 

There are 3 parking lots at this county park. The first parking lot is not very large but it is adjacent to the playground.

North Branch Park in Bridgewater NJ - Parking Lot

Are there restrooms at North Branch Park?

There were port-a-potties in the area. There are also other restrooms in the park elsewhere.

What else is there to do at North Branch Park?

In addition to the playground at North Branch Park, there are additional amenities available for visitors.

Are there walking trails?

There are walking trails available.

North Branch Park in Bridgewater NJ - Extras - walking path with trees

Are there fields or courts for sports? 

There are ballfields, soccer fields, and open grassy areas. We also saw a volleyball net set up, near the playground, on our visit.

North Branch Park in Bridgewater NJ - Extras - Open grassy area WIDE

Bonus information we want you to know about North Branch Park  

This Somerset County park is a 194-acre park that offers nearly a mile of views of the North Branch of the Raritan River. It’s home to many major exhibits, shows, and fairs including the Somerset County 4H Fair. Numerous special events keep families visiting all year!

North Branch Park in Bridgewater NJ - Extras - walking path with wooden bridge

Fishing

The park is a prime fishing location, stocked each year by the NJ Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife.

Flying Field

Flying enthusiasts who hold a valid AMA License and FAA license, and a Park Commission Flying Field Permit, may use the flying field at North Branch Park. Flying hours are 10:00 am-7:30 pm on weekdays, and 10:00 am-5:30 pm on weekends/holidays

You don’t need to be a permit holder to enjoy watching the model aircraft and rockets on the flying field.

Picnic Groves

North Branch Park offers a number of picnic tables to be used on a casual basis. It also has two picnic areas available by reservation for large groups such as family reunions or corporate outings. Brook Grove can accommodate up to 150 people, and River Grove can house groups up to 100 people. Each site has plenty of picnic tables and grills. There is also a pavilion located on the fairgrounds that can be reserved for groups as well.

Who do I contact about having a birthday party or event at North Branch Park Playground?

We provide these details about this Bridgewater park as a service to our readers and the park. However, Jersey Family Fun is not directly involved with this park. To reserve North Branch Park Playground for a birthday party or private event, please contact them directly by calling (908) 722-1200, or visiting their website.

Find more great playgrounds in New Jersey

Visit Somerset County parks and playgrounds to learn more about playgrounds near this one. Visit our series on New Jersey Playgrounds and Parks to learn more about the great playgrounds across our state.

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