Princeton Area Playground Blog: Van Horne Park

This is a gorgeous playground that was recently updated. It features two climbing structures for ages 2-5 and 5-12. The little kid structure features 3 slides, steps, 2 ladders, a tunnel, and a semi-enclosed playhouse area. The big structure is one of the most challenging I've seen. It has multiple slides, steps, ladders, monkey bars, balance beam, and an enclosed playhouse/treehouse. The facilities also include bathrooms and a covered picnic shelter.

The problem I had with this playground was that the young children make a beeline for the super-cool big kid climbing structure, but it is so challenging that it really requires an adult to go up with them. I thought it was potentially too challenging even for a 5 year old to navigate alone. The platforms are very high (up to 8 feet), and there are all kinds of gaps, including a gap in the platform floor. It's a shame because the little kid structure was also very interesting, but my kids didn't give it the time of day as soon as they saw the big one. Also, note there are no swings at this playground, so you can't do the age old trick of sticking your little one in the toddler swing while your older kid plays on the climbing structure.

The best thing about this playground was the frequent small planes buzzing by overhead, coming in for a landing at the nearby Princeton Airport.

Oh well. We'll give it another try in a few years...

Address: 1225 State Rd 206, Rocky Hill, NJ (behind the Princeton North Shopping Center)

Free parking: Yes (parking lot)
Fenced in: No
Playground surface: Wood chips
Playground platform height: 8 feet (big kid structure), 5 feet (little kid structure)
Shade: None
Bathrooms: Yes
Picnic area: Yes (covered structure)
Playground features: 2 climbing structures, baseball diamond, open lawn