Thursday, November 21, 2013

Park Commission Publishes Chronicle of Six Decades of Growth

PARK COMMISSION PUBLISHES BOOK TO CHRONICLE
SIX DECADES OF GROWTH

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Somerset County Park Foundation has just released its recently published chronicle of the history of the Somerset County Park Commission, Natural Beauty: Somerset County Parks by Clifford W. Zink.

With 425 illustrations and photos from the 57-year history of the Commission, the book details the remarkable inception and growth of the nationally recognized park system. 
 
In 1956, as development began to consume the County’s open space, concerned businessmen and political leaders spent close to a year working tirelessly to help pass a public referendum to establish the Somerset County Park Commission, adopting a visionary plan to preserve open space and provide recreational opportunities for the public.  Since that time, public officials and professional staff have implemented and expanded the plan into a countywide network of 26 parks encompassing more than 13,500 acres. 

The Somerset County Park System includes multiple award-winning facilities including the Environmental Education and Equestrian Centers at Lord Stirling Park, the horticultural centers at Colonial Park and Leonard J. Buck Garden, the Torpey Athletic Complex, Natirar Park, the Sourland Mountain Preserve, and Neshanic Valley Golf Course, the flagship facility in the five championship golf course system.

Natural Beauty traces the development of Somerset County’s park system from its roots in the County’s agricultural past through its evolution over nearly six decades into an organization utilizing creative public-private partnerships to preserve open space and serve more than 2,000,000 visitors and program participants annually.  The book highlights information and excerpts from historic documents and interviews with former and present elected officials, commissioners, directors, planners, naturalists, rangers and recreation staff. 

Clifford W. Zink, a resident of Princeton, NJ, is an award-winning historian, preservation consultant, and author of five books on New Jersey’s historic landscapes and industries.

The Somerset County Park Foundation is a 501c3 whose mission is to preserve, support, and promote Somerset County Park Commission programs, facilities, and open space through advocacy and fundraising.
  
Natural Beauty is available free with a $40 donation to the Somerset County Park Foundation by visiting the Somerset County Park Commission Headquarters 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ, 08807; 908 722-1200.

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Park Commission Receives Tourism Award

PARK COMMISSION RECEIVES
SALUTE TO TOURISM AWARD

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission is the recipient of the first annual Somerset County Salute to Tourism Award in the Collaborative Achievement category. The award was presented at the Somerset County Tourism Awards Breakfast Gala at Raritan Valley Country Club earlier today.

The tourism awards “recognize the economic contributions of organizations and individuals made through tourism” and further recognize efforts beyond the norm “that provide superior experiences for visitors to Somerset County or strengthen the community through tourism-related efforts.”

The Collaborative Achievement Award was presented to the Somerset County Park Commission’s Neshanic Valley Golf Course in recognition of the partnership with the United State Golf Association (USGA) that resulted in hosting the 2013 USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Golf Championship at the Somerset County facility.

The Park Commission and Neshanic Valley Golf Course staffs worked diligently to bring 156 of the world’s best female amateur golfers to Neshanic Valley for the weeklong Championship. The organizations also joined with the USGA Museum in Far Hills to host the Annual Players dinner, featuring keynote speaker Annika Sorenstam.

The Championship brought competitors, their families, coaches, and support staff from all over the world to Somerset County with hotels providing lodging for the more than 1200 guests and restaurants, retail establishments, and attractions also benefitting.

“It was an honor to have been selected to host one of only 13 USGA Championships held nationwide,” commented Ray Brown, Director of the Park Commission. “To be further recognized for our efforts supporting the Somerset County community and economy enhances the pride that we have in the efforts of our staff.”

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Two County Golf Courses Featured in New Book

TWO SOMERSET COUNTY GOLF COURSES FEATURED IN
THE SEARCH FOR THE 50 MOST BEAUTIFUL GOLF HOLES
IN NEW JERSEY


BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission is honored to announce that two county-run golf courses have been featured in “The Search for the 50 Most Beautiful Golf Holes in New Jersey,” a recently published book by Dr. John T. Whiting.

The book includes photographs of the what Dr. Whiting has determined are the  fifty most beautiful golf holes in the state. Dr. Whiting explains his personal criteria for defining a “beautiful golf hole” is a golfer’s “wow” experience when reaching a tee box. He further documents his photojournalistic search for his top fifty, research that took years of visits to many of New Jersey’s most prestigious golf facilities. Categorized in par 3’s, par 4’s and par 5’s, the book features photographs of all selected holes.

Among the par 3 holes is Neshanic Valley Golf Course Lake number 8, measuring 117 to 204 yards from the five tee locations. The slightly uphill fairway features an intimidating pond on the right hand side. Neshanic Valley is located at 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, New Jersey

Among the par 4’s is the 17th hole at Warrenbrook Golf Course located at 500 Warrenville Road in Warren Township, New Jersey. This challenging short par 4 measures from 304 to 386 from three tee locations. The dogleg right opens up to a large pond protecting the large green.

Also selected in the par 4 category is Lake 7 hole at Neshanic Valley. The hole measures 259 to 382 yards from five tee positions. The dogleg left is guarded by a pond on the right and three sand traps to the left. The green is surrounded on the right and rear by water.

Among the par 5’s is number 9 on the Neshanic Valley Meadow Course, measuring 467 to 577 years from five tee positions. Two sand traps protect the landing area and the green is well protected by a pond on the left and a trap on the right.

Featured as the 11th hole on the authors “Fantasy 18” is the 17th at Warrenbrook. Among the other courses in the “Fantasy 18” are Hamilton Farm, TPC Jasna Polana, Seaview Resort and Spa, Trump National Colts Neck, and Bayonne Golf Club.

The book concludes with a history of golf in the Garden State.

“This is another well earned honor for Somerset County golf courses,” commented Bob Ransone, Deputy Director, Golf Operations. “Neshanic Valley has a deserved reputation as one of the top courses in the state. Having Warrenbrook included on the top 50 is a credit to the dedication of the people who maintain all five of our courses in championship condition.”

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Advice from the Park Commission on Dogs Runing Free



ADVICE FROM THE SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION:
Dogs Running Free Are a Nuisance to Canines & Humans

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Ranger Division of the Somerset County Park Commission would like all dog owners to be aware that it is illegal in all Somerset County municipalities to allow dogs to run free unless confined to a designated “Leash-Free” area.

Somerset County Parks, specifically the highly populated general-use parks including North Branch Park, Colonial Park, and Duke Island Park, prohibit dogs running free for the safety of both park visitors and pets. It is against Park Commission rules and regulations, in addition to municipal ordinances, to not maintain physical control over pets.

The Ranger Division concern is for the safety of pets including the possibility that they may be attacked by natural wildlife living in the parks. Additionally, the proximity of roads and vehicles to the fields and playgrounds poses a threat to the safety of dogs running free. On a personal level, fear of dogs by both children and adult visitors to the parks can cause unnecessarily uncomfortable situations.

The Somerset County Park Commission offers a Leash-Free Dog Area at Colonial Park. Details may be on the Park Commission web site at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Certain municipalities also offer leash-free areas. The Rangers suggest checking municipal web sites or going to www.bringfido.com.

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Therapeutic Rec Dept. Assists Autism & Bullying Film Maker


THERAPEUTIC RECREATION DEPARTMENT ASSISTS
AUTISM & BULLYING FILM MAKER

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation Department has partnered with Tony Kennette, owner of KennetteProductions.com. in the upcoming production of Freeman Velocity; a film on autism and bullying.

Kennette has been sharing his film making skills with youngsters for almost a decade, most recently with children enrolled in the Somerset County Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation Movie Makers program. In the program, students with developmental disabilities, more specifically autism, explore the many facets and magic of movie making, learning terminology, production protocol, think-tanking story ideas, and many other aspects of filmmaking.

To be shot on location in Somerville over the summer, the film will offer Therapeutic Recreation students involved in the Movie Makers and theater programs the opportunity to appear in the film. In addition, Therapeutic Recreation staff will share their knowledge and understanding of autism to assist in character development.

Kennette’s involvement in the Movie Makes program has assisted staff in reaching the goals of increasing self- esteem, increasing communication skills, developing imagination and creativity skills, learning how to step outside the comfort zone and be someone different, appropriately expressing feelings and emotions, and learning to be a part of a team.

For more information about Movie Makers and other programs offered the Somerset County Park Commission, TR department please call 908-526-5650 or visit www.somersetcountyparks.org. Information about the film can be found on www.Kickstarter.com

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Neshanic Valley Earns Highest Rankings from NJ Monthly


NESHANIC VALLEY GOLF COURSE RECOGNIZED BY NJ MONTHLY
AMONG TOP PUBLIC COURSES IN THE STATE
2 Park Commission Facilities Make the Top 40

NESHANIC STATION, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission Neshanic Valley Golf Course, located at 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, has been recognized as among the top five public golf courses in the state in nine varied categories.

Neshanic Valley ranks statewide as:
            #2 overall public golf course
            #1 county facility
            #1 in Central Jersey
#1 practice facility
#1 best conditioned publicly owned
#2 most female friendly based on multiple tees, modern facilities &
                        approachable staff
#4 most challenging
            #5 most scenic
In addition, hole #7 on the Meadow Course was selected as the best short
par 4 in the state.

Somerset County Park Commission Quail Brook Golf Course on New Brunswick Road in Somerset rounded out the NJ Monthly list, selected as the 40th best facility in the state.

The NJ Monthly ranking were based on a vote by a panel of 21 New Jersey golf experts who were asked to rank their top 20 publicly owned or privately owned daily fee courses. The panel was also asked to rank courses in 14 categories.

Neshanic Valley was previously honored as the 30th best municipal course in the nation by Golfweek and among the Best Public Golf Courses in New Jersey by Sports Illustrated and CNN.com.

“Neshanic Valley has maintained its reputation because of its design, its versatility, and the dedicated staff that understands that Neshanic Valley must be maintained to the highest standards,” commented Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance. “We are proud to be able to provide a world-class golfing experience to the people of Somerset County, the state, and the region.”

Neshanic Valley hosted the 2012 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship® last June, one of 13 USGA Championships held nationwide each year.

The complete golfing facility provides an all-inclusive golfing experience with a 27-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Academy Course, the Learning Center, and the Callaway Golf Performance Center.

The state-of-the-art Learning Center includes a double-ended driving range with grass and mat hitting areas, a 12,000 square foot putting green, a practice facility including bunkers and three chipping greens, and two practice holes.

The Performance Center at Neshanic Valley, the only facility of its kind on the east coast, offers a state-of-the-art computerized golf club fitting and swing analysis system, operated by Callaway-trained professionals.

Information on Neshanic Valley, the four other championship county golf courses, and additional Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Two More Golf Courses Certified "River Friendly"



BRIDGEWATER, NJ – Two more Somerset County Golf Courses, Green Knoll on Garretson Road in Bridgewater and Spooky Brook on Elizabeth Avenue in Somerset, have received certification from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) as “River Friendly” golf courses. The two courses join Neshanic Valley in Neshanic Station and Quail Brook in Somerset as officially certified. The Spooky Brook certification is dependent upon completion of 3 remaining actions.
 
 The “River-Friendly” designation is based on operational and maintenance practices recommended by the NJWSA “River Friendly” program. Actions at the two facilities have resulted in the reduction of the contribution to non-point source pollution and improvement of the wildlife habitat on and near the course.

NJWSA worked with Park Commission staff at each course to develop specific goals and requirements for certification in the areas of Water Quality Management, Water Conservation Techniques, Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement, and Education and Outreach.
“Earning certification is a tribute to the stewardship of the Park Commission and the direct efforts of our staff,” commented Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance. “We are always mindful that it is our responsibility to provide the highest quality golfing experience while still protecting the environment around us.”

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

PRESS CONTACT: Rich Reitman 908-526-1390 or 908-400-6061