Joiun Saturday Morning Dog Walks at Lord Stirling Stable

 

The Friends of Lord Stirling Stable and the Somerset County Park Commission are pleased to announce that weekly Saturday morning Dog Walks on the trails at the Stable have resumed and will continue on the fall and winter time schedule. The Stable is located at 256 South Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge, NJ.

 

Due to current health protocols, two walks are scheduled each week. Registration for the “Regular” dog walk begins at 9:45AM. with the walk commencing at 10:00 A.M. sharp. The “Fast” walk begins promptly at 10:30A.M.; walkers may register beginning at 10:00A.M. Each walk lasts for approximately one hour.

 

All pets must be leashed and kept under control at all times. These sanctioned Dog Walks offer participants the opportunity to explore the beautiful equestrian trails of Lord Stirling Stable on foot.  

 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Murphy’s Executive Orders, masks must be worn prior to the start of the walk but are optional on the trails once the walk begins. Social distancing must be maintained at all times.

 

The traditional fee of $3 per dog will be waived at this time and donations are welcome.

For more information, contact Barbara at 908-448-8348 or online at kb2krx@yahoo.com.  For directions, call Lord Stirling Stable at 908-722-1200, ext. 5010.

Nature Throughg a Child's Eye Virtual Art Exhibit

 

The Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education (EEC) will virtually present the 2021 Children’s Art Show, Nature Through a Child’s Eye.  The EEC has been featuring artwork from Somerset County students for twenty-nine years and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue the exhibit this year in a virtual format through the months of January and February.

 

The creative art display is available at www.somersetcountyparks.org; on Facebook at /EECscparks; and on Instagram at @eec_scparks.

 

The works communicate their views of nature and the environment though application of textures, shapes and colors. Adults and children alike will enjoy the works of the creative minds of Somerset County school children.

 

Past projects have included fall leaves printed with tempera, nature landscapes in pastels, and impressions of trees, all of which demonstrate the children's relationship with nature.

 

For information on Nature Through a Child's Eye or other Environmental Education Center activities, call 908-722-1200, ext. 5335 or NJ Relay 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment.

 

Information on this event and other Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org

EEC Offers Virtual Birding Programs

 

The Naturalists at the Somerset County Park Commission (SCPC) Environmental Education Center (EEC) have scheduled a series of Virtual Birding Workshops & Seminars for adult birders. Each session will be offered on various dates during the months of January, 2021 through April, 2021.

 

Virtual Birding Seminar: Backyard Birds and Building Your Birding Skills This four week course is designed for birders of all skill levels. The sessions will focus on learning some of the most common backyard bird species and tips and techniques to assist in taking the next step to improve birding ability. The program runs Tuesdays, February 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2021 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Fee is $20 per household for the four-date session.

 

Virtual Birding Seminar: Birding by Ear

Bird songs and calls are some of most beautiful but challenging aspects of birding.  This class is designed to learn the basics of bird sounds, discussing how birds make sound, providing examples of sensational songs in our area, and helping identify the bird you keep hearing in the backyard. The program runs Fridays, March 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2021 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Fee is $20 per household for the four date session.

 

Virtual Birding Identification Workshop: Spring Warblers

This program will take a look at warblers, the northeastern United States’ most iconic group of birds. Around 30 different warbler species pass through New Jersey in the Spring.  Participants will learn field markings, behavior, and other identification tips for each species. The program runs Thursdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2021 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Fee is $25 per household for the five date session.

 

Enrollment is online only at www.somersetcountyparks.org.  Registration for January, February, March, and April opens at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 16, 2020.

 

Information of Park Commission programs and activities may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-722-1200.

EEC to Offer Virtual Group Outreach Programs

 

NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission (SCPC) Environmental Education Center (EEC) Naturalists are offering Virtual Group Outreach Programs, consisting of lectures and discussion-based presentations appropriate to a variety of audiences.

 

The virtual programs are offered through the SCPC platform or a platform preferred by the group leadership. Options are either a pre-recorded video link or a PowerPoint lecture offered virtually with a ‘live’ presenter.

 

Among programs currently offered are:

Amazing Adaptations will explore how wildlife survives in its environment.

Armchair Birding featuring first-hand birding stories.

Backyard Bears will educate participants in bear ‘etiquette’ and create a better

understanding of bears.

Backyard Birds will help get acquainted with many of New Jersey’s common

backyard birds and when and where to place feeders in the yard.

Basically Bats will explore the life of the only true flying mammal.

Birds of the World will explore some of the more than 10,000 species of birds

            including those that are poisonous, those that fly when asleep, and those

            that migrate 50,000 miles each year.

Butterfly Basics will explore the interesting physical and behavioral adaptations

of these complex insects.

Coyote Cries will help sort out the myths from facts on the coyotes living in New

            Jersey.

Fantastic Plant Stories will examine how plants are used in celebrations locally

and around the world.

New Jersey Owls will explore the nocturnal world of these fascinating local birds

            of prey.

Off the Coast will examine the life of the sea turtle and why they need help from

            humans.

Oh Deer! Will explore the world of deer biology, the interactions deer have with

            predators, habitat, and humans.

Passports to Penguins will review the lives of the many types of penguins, where

they live, what they eat, and more.

Planning a Native Butterfly Garden will illustrate which native plants attract

which native butterflies and moths

Sharks 101 will explore the facts and myths about sharks and the important role

they play in our ecosystem.

Virtual Rainforest will take a trip to the tropics of the Costa Rican rainforest to

find out what makes a two-toed sloth different from a three-toed sloth,

what a three-wattled bell bird mustache looks like and many other

fascinating facts.

Virtual Safari will travel to Tanzania to go on a virtual safari deep into the wilds

of the African ‘bush’.

Vital Vernals will explore the vernal pools are unique habitats that only exist when water is prevalent.

 

Groups are invited to choose one of the existing topics or suggest one. Each program can be tailored to the group’s specific needs, interests, and time frame.

 

For more information, program pricing, or to schedule a program, contact Kurt Bender at 908 722-1200 Ext. 5332 or kbender@scparks.org

 

Information of Park Commission programs and activities may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-722-1200.

Now Accepting Wedding Ceremony & Photo Reservations

 

The Horticulture Department of the Somerset County Park Commission is accepting reservations for wedding ceremonies and photography at the following locations: Colonial Park Gardens, namely the Arboretum (for ceremonies and photos) and the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden (for photography only). The Leonard J. Buck Garden is accepting reservations for wedding photography only. The fee for each garden is $150.00 per hour.

Colonial Park Gardens is located in Colonial Park, Somerset, (Franklin Township), New Jersey.

The one-acre Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden is a display garden, comprising one acre of plantings with more than 3,000 roses in more than 325 varieties. The garden is at its peak bloom in late May and June. 

 

The new Perennial Garden’s planting is inspired by the history of the park’s landscape and the existing garden. Additionally, the design is based on three over-arching ideas – a Fibonacci spiral, a meditative labyrinth, and traditional garden mazes. The plantings have been chosen to give a long period of interest as well as a sequence of bloom from early spring to late fall. Evergreen hedges and tan foliage of grasses left for the winter will deliver the final season of interest.

 

The 144-acre Arboretum provides displays of flowering trees, evergreens, shade trees, dwarf conifers, and flowering shrubs. This includes the three-acre Shrub Collection which showcases plants that grow well in central NJ and are designed to give year-round interest by using flowering shrubs; trees; perennials; and ornamental grasses; and the areas surrounding the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden and the Perennial Garden. 

 

The Leonard J. Buck Garden, located at 11 Layton Road in Far Hills, is a unique naturalistic garden of great beauty. Well-known for its numerous wildflowers, shrubs, and beautiful shade trees, this woodland rock garden is the perfect setting for spectacular wedding photos. This 13-acre rock garden is set within a 29-acre natural woodland area and features a rustic gazebo and bridges, sparkling pond, flowing stream, and winding paths leading to your memorable wedding photo site. 

 

Reservations, at least two weeks prior to the wedding date, may be made by calling 908-722-1200 ext. 5721 for the Colonial Park Gardens and ext. 5621 for the Leonard J. Buck Garden. Individuals with hearing/speech impairment may use the NJ Relay Service at 711. The reservation line for Colonial Park Gardens is available from Monday through Friday from 8:00  A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and the Leonard J. Buck Garden from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. (except for holidays). 

 

Information on Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.

Quail Brook to Open January 8 to 10

 

The Somerset County Park Commission has announced that Quail Brook Golf Course on New Brunswick Road in Somerset, New Jersey will be open for play Friday, January 8 through Sunday, January 10, 2021.

 

The course will be open from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. each day. Tee time reservation will be available to golfers registered for 2021.

 

Spooky Brook Golf Course at Colonial Park in Somerset, the Neshanic Valley Championship and Academy courses will be open during the winter as weather permits.

 

Information on all golf facilities may be obtained by calling the Somerset County Park Commission at 908-722-1200, ext. 5428 or on line at    www.somersetcountyparks.org.

Recycle Christmas Trees at Colonial & North Branch Parks

 

The Somerset County Park Commission will be accepting natural Christmas trees for recycling through Sunday, January 31, 2020.

 

Somerset County residents may bring their tree to Colonial Park Gardens, Parking Lot F, 156 Mettlers Road in Somerset, Franklin Township or to North Branch Park at the lighted baseball field, 355 Milltown Road in Bridgewater. Both facilities will accept trees from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., seven days a week.

 

Each family is limited to only one tree that must be free of all ornaments, wires, netting, and tinsel. Only natural trees will be accepted. Wreaths and garland will not be accepted as these items cannot be recycled. Deliveries from groups or dealers will be rejected. Following these guidelines is necessary to maintain a manageable recycling program.

 

Trees will be chipped into wood chip mulch which will be used throughout the park system to mulch plantings. Some chips/mulch will be made available to the public at each of the drop-off sites at no cost.

 

For information, please call the Somerset County Park Commission Horticulture Department at 908-722-1200, ext. 5721 or the Relay Service at 711 for individuals with a hearing and/or speech impairment, Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

 

Information on Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.