Lord Stirling Stable Contribution to Local Food Bank

The Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable, located at 256 South Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge, joined with the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable to present the “Stuff the Turkey” Hunter Pace, providing riders the opportunity to make Thanksgiving a little brighter for Somerset County residents in need.

A Hunter Pace is an event for horse and rider in which teams of two to three follow a well-marked course that is 6 to 8 miles in length.  There are usually more than 30 fences, up to 3’ in height.

 

Participants were asked to bring non-perishable food items for donation to the Somerset County Food Bank. Among the nearly 175 items that were generously contributed were canned vegetables and fruit, mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, gravy, pasta, breakfast items, sauces, soup, and much more.

For information, please call Lord Stirling Stable at 908-766-5955.  Individuals with a hearing or speech impairment can call NJ Relay Service at 711.

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

Buck Garden Featured in New NJ Garden Book

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The Somerset County Park Commission Leonard J. Buck Garden located at 11 Layton Road in Far Hills, New Jersey, is featured in a recently released book, Gardens of the Garden State by Nance Berner and Susan Lowry and  published by Monacelli Press.

Gardens of the Garden State is “a glorious photographic tour of the public and private gardens of New Jersey—from historic formal gardens of former estates, to suburb gardens, horticulturists’ havens, and fresh takes on front yards,” according to the Monacelli Press web site. The book is available on most literature web sites.

The book selects twenty-eight gardens from Skylands, to the New York border, to the elegant formal gardens of Short Hills, Bernardsville, and Oldwick, to a wildlife garden filled with frogs and butterflies, and a lighthouse garden near Cape May.

Buck Garden is among New Jersey’s more than 60 public gardens and arboreta in 15 counties and is recognized as one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States. Buck Garden consists of a series of alpine and woodland garden areas situated in a 29-acre wooded stream valley.

Tucked among the rocks are rare and exotic rock garden plants. The wooded trails connecting the outcroppings are lined with beautiful wildflowers that have flourished and multiplied through the years. Throughout the garden grow various trees, shrubs, and perennials.

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

Park Commission Earns 3rd Smart Workplace Recognition

The Somerset County Park Commission has earned recognition as a recipient of a 2014 Smart Workplaces Platinum level award.  The prestigious statewide program recognizes employers who provide outstanding commuter transportation programs for their employees. The 2014 award is the third consecutive recognition for the Park Commission.

The Platinum Award, the highest honor bestowed, is earned by achieving five Bronze, five Silver, and Gold level activities in addition to a series of comprehensive site-specific alternative commute programs. Among the issues addressed by the Park Commission to fulfill the requirements are:

Designating an on-site point of contact for commute inquiries

Encouraging employees to register for TMA traffic alerts

Regularly promoting commute options and TMA incentives

Hosting an on-site information event

Hosting two or more TMA Lunch & Learn presentations

Providing bicycle parking area

Offering a formal flextime program an compressed workweek program

Providing electric vehicles for employee business use

Smart Workplaces recognizes the achievement of New Jersey employers who have developed and implemented significant and innovative alternative commute programs that attain the State Standard of Excellence. The program honors employers that provide commuter benefits to help employees address limited or expensive parking, reduce traffic congestion, improve employee recruiting and retention, and minimize the environmental impacts associated with drive-alone commuting.

“Attaining another Platinum level is an honor for the Park Commission but it is also is our responsibility as stewards of our county’s parklands and open space to serve as an advocate for such policies,” commented Ray Brown, Director of the Park Commission.

RideWise, an affiliate of the Somerset County Business Partnership and Somerset County’s transportation management association, oversees the program, verifies the validity of the employer nomination, and helps employers meet the criteria for the recognition. Information is available at www.Ridewise.org.

Information on Park Commission programs and activities is available at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-722-1200.