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Merrill Park & Animal Haven
Middlesex Essex Turnpike, Iselin, NJ 08830, United States
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D.
Review №1

Very nice and spacious park, we came from out of town on the way up to our vacation with young kids and they really enjoyed it.There are a few animals including goats, ducks, a bull, a pig, a peacock, and possibly more that we missed so I dont think older kids (over 7-8) would enjoy the animals so much, but the younger kids definitely did, there was a spot for grilling which was packed (it was a Sunday) and there was a very nice playground too which wasnt too crowded.If your kids enjoy outdoors this is definitely a good choice of a place to come to.

Jo
Review №2

Some of the animals looked malnourished and dirty. They park is nice, clean and a decent size.

Ja
Review №3

A big beautiful park with several areas that have playgrounds, two big baseball fields, picnic benches and an animal sanctuary. Its not too big but theres chickens, goats, sheep, ducks, geese, a cow, some peacocks and some tiger striped pheasants. Its a nice park to walk around and see the animals and enjoy a nice day out.

Cu
Review №4

Enjoyable for the family. Even though feeding is discouraged, some people didnt follow rules. This can endanger the animals. Nice park.

Ma
Review №5

This is the most relaxing place I know, Goats, chickens, bunnies, peacocks, and more. Plenty of picnic tables and benches.

Me
Review №6

Super cute location bunch of stuff to do with or without the poor or Maybe happy animals.Great open space for biking walking picnic great play ground and sports location

Je
Review №7

Went there today and saw Maggie, the bull. She was infested with flies and you can see it was really irritating her! Why not have something for her to be comfortable? Please respond back so I can give you advice on what to do to avoid the flies eating her alive. Bacon, the pic and Jerry are both also covered in flies that bothers them. Please take care of the animals well being or hire some people to care for the health and a Vet!!

z
Review №8

Excellent place to spend the day multiple play grounds plenty to do

W
Review №9

Nice zoo. Friendly farm animals. Kids love it

ma
Review №10

Not many wearing masks, disappointing that people dont care

Mi
Review №11

Been here alot!Went for birthday party in October.Everything was great!Clean park!Animals, play park, fields.Bathrooms!Lots of walking trails!

Ay
Review №12

Nice place for kids.

V.
Review №13

Beautiful park, fun to go there and see the animals

Ki
Review №14

This is a secret gem of its area, its good for people of all ages somewhere you can take the kids and they get exposed to different animals at a young age. There are goats chickens peacocks pigs a 20 year old blind horse named Katie who is such a sweetheart. The peacocks sometimes jump out of the enclosure and flaunt their stuff. whats also nice about the animal Haven is it is surrounded by a luscious Green Park good for picnics and barbecues swing sets basketball all kinds of activities

Sh
Review №15

The animal haven is good to watch peacock. I was lucky to watch peacock enjoying the rain and feathers were full blown out. It is a small animal haven, good to see few times.

Ar
Review №16

The Park is nice and big. Very good for big parties. Few tennis court and basket ball group. Nice for jogging. Animal shelter is good for small kids. There we saw Goat, Peacock, Rabbit, Ducks, Turkey and a Pig.

Kr
Review №17

Great park. My grandson loves the animals

Jo
Review №18

The park is small but it makes up for that with the animal zoo and nice playground

Ji
Review №19

I park my truck, wait for my squirrel friend to spot my truck. Watch it run up closer, then toss its favorite snack... french fries. It can be a bit fussy if i toss other things for it so, i been sticking to the fries lol. I sometimes get up to 3 squirrels visiting me but i always get that certain 1 to visitThats my cool down time, after leaving work

Sh
Review №20

Very nice, clean, free park! Been going there for 30yrs

me
Review №21

My children and I miss Katie dearly, but overall wasnt bad the park is always a blast and very clean . The highlight was always Katie though

Aj
Review №22

Small animal cages. Nice place to visit with your young kids during your evening stroll.

Am
Review №23

I love this park and so close to home. I call it part of my “memory lane” meaning I have been coming here since the 80s as a child. What people don’t understand is that it’s not a ZOO here it’s an animal SANCTUARY. This means that often injured or old or even unwanted animals come here to live out their lives. Katie was an old horse that retired here. She wasn’t poorly kept she was just old...and died this year in June. Not sure how old she was as some say 40 but others 20.Anyway it’s a nice place to come to chill out or relax. Weekends are busy and often involve loud parties, something that kinda bugs me but you learn to deal with it as it IS a public place.

Sa
Review №24

Nice park for children

De
Review №25

I decided to bring my daughter on a Saturday afternoon. Our only concern, was the horse.We understand she is an older horse but her hair looked like she has not been brushed or cleaned.

Li
Review №26

Very nice park, with many playgrounds, though zoo is small, and has clean bathrooms (though theres not enough, considering little kids who frequent the park may be going through potty training and need them close by). Many places to sit and eat, run along paths, and a small vendor by the large wooden playground for snacks and water.

Ni
Review №27

There are cute animals to feed, a few gazebos, great for kids, couples, artists and so on. There are benches, BBQ grills and plenty of sun shine to relax in. A couple of playgrounds, food and icees, youll love it.

Sa
Review №28

My daughter and I enjoyed going to the park although we were concerned about the horse I understand the horse is old but she could still be groomed her hair looked matted its like it hadnt been combed .... the rabbits cannot be in a cage with wires there should be a floor so the bunnies dont get sores on their paws laying on wires is not healthy for the rabbits ..... Please get the horse groomed and add a floor for the rabbits

Sa
Review №29

Its great place to get together and kids play area is good, ample of space

Si
Review №30

Its a really big park thats great for having barbecues and other functions.

Mi
Review №31

Calling this place a zoo might be an overstatement, but its a good local place to bring your kids to see some animals. All types of farm animals are free to see, and most of them are very friendly. This place has been here forever and the age is starting to show, but its definitely a pleasant local attraction. Personally my favorite is the peacock that comes and goes, he likes to sit on the roof.

No
Review №32

My kids love seeing the animals. I also love how many options there are for toddler safe playgrounds

Me
Review №33

Nice and cozy for the kids to see the. Animals

Ri
Review №34

Its free and theres a bunch of animals hanging out behind a chain link fence. I like the place but it is not exactly turtle back or Bronx zoo. Nonetheless, if you have toddler you could spend a couple hours here without needing to spend money. The play grounds are decent but nothing too crazy. All in all, it is a nice place for little kids.

Do
Review №35

I visited this location because they have a small area that you can see live animals like a pig, some goat, and peacocks. The park looks very clean and beautiful and I know they have areas to BBQ. this is a nice place to bring your family for a day out.

J
Review №36

Cool little spot. Pork chop is a chill dude! Being from CA this park was a beauty chill and we brought some local Estrela De Serra BBQ as a small picnic. Kids loved the playground and we loved the cleaniness and greenery around.

ci
Review №37

Deeply disappointee with the health and well being of the only horse at this park. It is blind and malnourished. You can see its spinal cord and ribs

Ma
Review №38

Nice and quite place to visit, mini zoo,and picnic area

KA
Review №39

I have a high concern for the horse Katie. You can see her ribs, she is dirty and unkept. Quite honestly it looks like nobody feeds her, cleans her or even cares about her. But this is a children’s attraction at the park? I’m high disappointed. Feed the horse !

ma
Review №40

Great place to take your kids to play and have fun

Ta
Review №41

Good like always, but the place where the animals are located need a little bit more of attention, like the horse is getting too skinny.

Ky
Review №42

Not so much a zoo as an urban farm, horse looks like it should had been put down years ago. No place for goats and other animals to go other then black top. Really a sad excuse for a zoo and shouldnt be here.

Me
Review №43

Very nice place to host corporate events

Su
Review №44

I sit there remembering when I took my kids there when they were little. The chickens, ducks, geese, goats, and sheep are there.

hi
Review №45

Love this place .great place for get togethers. Complete package

Al
Review №46

Great place to go with children.

Ab
Review №47

Nice place for the kids to enjoy. Good for the adults to take a stroll through the greens as well as ample space for small ball games and courts for tennis

Am
Review №48

Good big park and play ground

Vi
Review №49

Was at a picnic and place is kept clean.

Sn
Review №50

Good place... small it is...few animals are there like horse rabbit peacock ducks sheeps hens...

Ma
Review №51

Nice for a short stop with babie. Wish more animals

Id
Review №52

Was saddened to hear that Sadie the horse had passed away. She was a staple at this park for years!!

Iv
Review №53

GREAT AREA & NICE PLACE

Sy
Review №54

Great areas for family and friends reunion

Do
Review №55

Absolutely love ! A must go! Definitely recommend!

Sh
Review №56

MY FAVORITE PARK TO TAKE OUR KIDS TO

Na
Review №57

Great park for games and BBQ.

Mi
Review №58

Need to put up cameras people are stealing the animals, so sad. Think our parks would be taken care of. Should put people who take animals in jail what a sad society we live in

Na
Review №59

Nice small park close to homeBut the animals need MORE SPACE

Ka
Review №60

Nice park & playground for kids

De
Review №61

Great for young children

Ud
Review №62

For summer its awesome not for snowfall season

Po
Review №63

Enjoyed birds animals and all rides

Ja
Review №64

Its a nice zoo. The only problem with the zoo is that they have a horse in a small enclosure and he or she has hardly any room to move.

Si
Review №65

This is really just a few pens behind chain link fence where you can walk up and feed the animals (goats, chickens, horse, peacocks, ducks, rabbits and pigs). My kids love it, and theres picnic tables and a really good playground very close by.

Ma
Review №66

Very nice park. My daughter loves the zoo

Lo
Review №67

We love the little animal area and visiting Katie!! The track is great for walking and theres so many good playgrounds (and pokestops!)

Da
Review №68

Beautiful park and clean bathrooms

Le
Review №69

Not the best place to walk during not summer times. No asphalt walks

Bi
Review №70

Nice park

Em
Review №71

The animals are fun.

NJ
Review №72

Very nice 179-acre Middlesex county park on the south branch of the Rahway River with a bunch of amenities such as baseball, soccer, and football fields, tennis courts, picnic groves, jogging paths, a playground, and (similar to Thompson Park at the Monroe and Jamesburg Township border in the southern half of the county), it also features an animal sanctuary.

Ma
Review №73

Good place for family and kids

De
Review №74

Kids having lots of fun

Jo
Review №75

Awesome park that has animals and great playgrounds

Ka
Review №76

I took my granddaughters there they loved it

Ni
Review №77

Nice little park with groves for grilling and picnicking. Also has a small free zoo, which the grove we had was right next to.

St
Review №78

PEACOCKS AND SPINNY THINGY

Bi
Review №79

Good for kids to see small animals.....

Va
Review №80

Not allowed to feed the animals. The chickens are often outside the enclosure. The animals look pretty run down and unhappy. Feel bad for the doomed chick, and horse with no blanket on a cold day.

Be
Review №81

Beautiful family memories

Dk
Review №82

Nice well maintained place with play area for kids, tracks to walk and cycling, bastketball and tennis court with huge play for football.

Fa
Review №83

Good for a leisurely stroll.

R/
Review №84

Huge space for biking walking & r/c activities

Ro
Review №85

Great park lot to see and do

vi
Review №86

Great place to bring your kids!

na
Review №87

Play area is beautiful, all around the only this is where the animals are is always mud and smell disgusting

Bi
Review №88

Good for large picnic in summer.

sw
Review №89

Good place for kids

Er
Review №90

Great place to play

Br
Review №91

Awsome, must see

La
Review №92

Nice place

Se
Review №93

Good area for picnic with group

Er
Review №94

Awesome place to relax!!!

Do
Review №95

The animals are poorly kept in my opinionThe bathroom by the animals is disgustingArea poorly marked for grove location

Ma
Review №96

Great

Ve
Review №97

Nice park

Ca
Review №98

Love this place

Ca
Review №99

Liked

ji
Review №100

Amazing place

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.5 Rating
  • Address:Middlesex Essex Turnpike, Iselin, NJ 08830, United States
  • Site:http://middlesexcountynj.gov/About/ParksRecreation/Pages/PR/Merrill-Park.aspx
  • Phone:+1 732-381-3555
Categories
  • Tourist attraction
  • Zoo
Working hours
  • Monday:9am–10pm
  • Tuesday:9am–10pm
  • Wednesday:9am–10pm
  • Thursday:Closed
  • Friday:9am–10pm
  • Saturday:9am–10pm
  • Sunday:9am–10pm
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
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