Effective 12/06/25 

RVRR Saturday Runs Start at Johnson Park - Grove 4 Parking Lot in Piscataway, NJ 

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Winter runs are currently at Johnson Park, Grove 4 Parking Lot from December 2025 to April 2026 - During this period we will be starting from Grove 4 in Johnson Park about 0.5 miles east of Landing Lane past the Route 18 bridge. 

Late Spring/Summer time runs start at  Johnson Park, Grove 5 - Late April through August Summer Saturday runs start at 8am to help avoid the heat of the day. We typically meet at the parking lot near Grove 5, across from the Rutgers Football Stadium. 

Fall Runs 2025 - This year our Saturday Runs from September - November met at Donaldson Park, Grove 4 in Highland Park. This change helped us avoid scheduling conflicts with other events at the park. You can find full details about our Fall Saturday Club Runs on the RVRR website. The Fall 2026 location is TBD. 

Transitions
The dates aren't hard and fast. In Spring and Fall, the location and start times vary, depending on whether the restrooms at Grove 5 are open or if there are Rutgers games that impact access. Check this page or your weekly email for the latest details.

Alternate site during closures
If Johnson Park is closed because of floods, deep snow, football games, special events, etc., we meet at the Tennis Court Parking lot at Johnson Park, right off River Rd. Runners will often announce on our Facebook group page whether there is a closure. 

Where we run

The Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath, a State Park, is one of the best running experiences in New Jersey. It is flat by design and mostly smooth because the Park repairs flood damage by spreading a medium-grained crushed red shale that is delightful to run on. There are many birds and other wildlife to see and seasonal wildflowers to encourage a meditative state on an easy long run. You can run forever. But don’t feel pressured to do so. You can run as little or as far as you want. This does not have to be your “long run,” but it will surely be your most pleasurable. The run is out-and-back from Landing Lane. Typical distances vary from 3 to over 20 miles and runners of all levels and speeds are welcome!  Restrooms are available at the start (Grove 2 or Grove 5) and at the Van Wickle house across the Demott footbridge.

Parallel to Johnson Park is River Road, which is the southern limit of Rutgers’ Busch Campus. Many different roads on the Busch and Livingston Campuses of Rutgers allow loops of ~3ish to 7 miles, which we call “Dragon loops.” If ice or flood damage makes the Towpath hazardous these loops are particularly popular.

Post Run Eats

Join us for brunch after the run! We usually head to a local restaurants including the Fontainblue Diner in Piscataway or Ellinikon Agora, Greek Market in Highland Park for some food and socializing. The restaurant choice(s) are typically decided at the Saturday Club Run. 

More about the Towpath

History of D & R Canal