Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Local Artist "Camouflages" Warrenbrook Facility


Well-known local portrait artist Jamie Lindholm of The Martinsville Studio has returned to her roots when she began painting landscapes and still life with her project at Warrenbrook Golf Course on Warrenville Road in Warren Township.

Between the 11th green and 12th tee is a small concrete building that houses the ladies’ and men’s room. The formerly nondescript exterior now sports a lovely painted window treatment and flower box on the ladies’ side and a camouflage painting that blends in with the landscape on the men’s side.

Playing golf on Tuesdays at Warrenbrook, Lindholm was familiar with the facility centrally located on the 18-hole championship golf course. Manager of the facility, Bill McCallum, discovering that his regular customer was an artist, arranged to have the work completed.

“For what can best be described as a concrete bunker is now a far more attractive facility that blends in nicely with its surroundings,” commented McCallum.

“I really enjoy playing golf at Warrenbrook and am happy to make a contribution to the landscape on the course,” add Lindholm.

Warrenbrook is one of five championship golf courses in the Somerset County Park System. In addition to Warrenbrook are Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Neshanic Station, Green Knoll Golf Course in Bridgewater, and Spooky Brook and Quail Brook Golf Courses in Franklin Township.

It was recently announced that all five county golf courses have been recognized as River-Friendly by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and as Groundwater Guardians by the Groundwater Foundation.

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

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Tribute Benches & Legacy Trees Available in County Parks


The Somerset County Park Foundation has announced a new program to provide an opportunity to pay tribute to family and close friends through a donation of a tree or park bench at a location within the Somerset County Park system.

A tax-deductible donation of $2,000.00 will earn the placement of a bench or tree with a plaque memorializing the contribution. The Park Foundation will maintain a listing of all plantings and benches with information including the donor and the person being honored or memorialized.

Tribute Benches are available in three styles conforming to the type of park in which the bench is to be placed. The criteria for the site list per park is based on the needs in each park and a determination of the maximum number of benches appropriate for each park. Maintenance of the bench will be the responsibility of the park staff.

The plaques on benches located in the gardens are 2” x 4” anodized aluminum plates, black with silver letters. The plaques on benches located in the parks and at the Environmental Education Center are 8” x 5” cast bronze plate with dark oxide stain background finish and with bronze letters. 

Living Legacy Trees provide individuals and organizations with the opportunity to honor people and commemorate special events by planting trees in Somerset County parks. Living Legacy Tree requests will be accepted year-round and planted in the spring or fall to give the trees the best chance to survive. Through communication between Park Commission Horticulture staff and the contributor, an approved species will be chosen based on the desired planting site.
A donor may also choose an already established tree, to be designated as a Tribute Tree.  A commemorative plaque engraved according to the donor’s specifications will be placed at the base of the tree.

For more information on the Tribute Bench or Living Legacy Tree program go to www.somersetcountyparks.org or call 908-722-1200, ext. 228.
The Somerset County Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) created to preserve, support, and promote Somerset County Park Commission programs, facilities, and open space through advocacy and fundraising.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Engraved Bricks Available at TD Bank Ballpark


The Somerset County Park Foundation, in cooperation with the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, is offering the general public the chance to become a permanent part of history at TD Bank Ballpark, home of the Somerset Patriots. The purchase of an engraved brick placed in the main gate at the Ballpark provides both a permanent remembrance and a scholarship opportunity for children and young adults to participate in Park Commission programs.

“Foundation of Opportunities” is a program that provides funding to support the Somerset County Park Foundation Scholarship Fund that assist participants of the Park Commission's Therapeutic Recreation Department. The Fund provides opportunities for children and young adults to participate in recreational programs and services at low or no cost.

Personalized engraved bricks will be installed in the grand main entry plaza at TD Bank Ballpark, providing an opportunity to convey a personal message or remembrance to hundreds of thousands of event attendees throughout the year. Bricks can recognize family members, friends, loved-ones, customers, and those who have made meaningful contributions to the legacy of Somerset County.

Bricks are available at $65 each and will be engraved with a maximum of three (3) lines of twenty (20) characters including spaces and punctuation. “Foundation of Opportunities” application is available at www.somersetcountyparks.org.  For information call the Park Foundation at 908-722-1200, ext. 228.

“The Park Foundation greatly appreciates the Freeholders' endorsement of this program that will continue to expand scholarship opportunities,” stated John Kitchen, Chair of the Foundation. “The Foundation is proud of the efforts of the Therapeutic Recreation Department and the fact that annually the Scholarship Program supports one-quarter of the participants enjoying the services of Therapeutic Recreation.”

The Therapeutic Recreation Program is a cooperative effort between the Park Commission and 16 municipalities, providing year-round recreation opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Programs include Camp Okee Sunokee, a six-week day camp for children age 7 to 14 with learning disabilities or Asperger's Syndrome; Summer Adventure, a two-week summer program for high school teens and young adults, ages 15-21; Kid Connection, a year-round program for children ages 6-12 with a developmental disability; Teen and Adult Programs featuring a variety of social, cultural, artistic, culinary, sports, fitness, community outings, horticulture, and overnight trips; and T.R.A.I.L.S., an adapted horseback riding program.