Play Championship Golf Around the World

Regardless of the weather outdoors golfers have 26 championship golf courses to choose from at the Somerset County Park Commission HDGolf simulator at the Neshanic Valley Golf Course Learning Center, 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, New Jersey.

The High Definition Golf™ simulator sets the standard for indoor golf accuracy and realism. Revolutionary image processing software combines high resolution digital images, satellite data, and geophysical data into 3D models of golf courses. Representations look real and are completely accurate everywhere on the course with every tree, bunker and hazard reproduced exactly. Additionally, the simulator provides comprehensive and precise shot analysis including ball speed, club speed, launch angle, club face angle, ball spin and spin axis at high accuracy.

Among the courses available at the Learning Center are: Pebble Beach®, St, Andrews®, Pinehurst®, Kiawah Island®, Spyglass®, Doral®, Harbourtown®, Troon North®, Bethpage Black®, Banff Springs® and many others.

The simulator is available for indoor play year around on Monday to Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Golfers are asked to wear casual attire and no spikes.

League play is available. Fee is $50.00 per hour weekdays and $60 per hour weekends. Fees are computed based on the number of hours booked divided by the number of players.

For information and tee time reservations, call the Learning Center at 908-369-8232. For information on all Park Commission programs and activities, log onto www.somersetcountyparks.org.

Rose Garden Earns International Award

At a ceremony on Friday, October 7, 2016 at the Rudolf van der Goot Rose Garden at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey, Somerset County Park Commissioners and staff formally accepted the 2015 World Federation of Rose Societies' (WFRS) Garden of Excellence Award. 

The nomination was submitted by Dr. Suni Bolar, Vice President of the Jersey Shore Rose Society and a national level rose exhibitor and rose hybridizer. 

Beginning in 1995, the WFRS organization recognized the best of the outstanding rose gardens throughout the world with its Garden of Excellence Award. The highly competitive and prestigious award has been earned by internationally renowned gardens including La Roseraie de Bagatelle in France, the Garden of Roses in England, and Washington Park in Portland, Oregon along with gardens in Argentina, China, Italy, Pakistan, South Africa, and other countries throughout the world. 

The Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden is one-acre in size and contains more than 3,000 roses of 325 varieties. The garden was named in honor of Rudolf W. van der Goot, the first horticulturist with the Somerset County Park Commission, as a tribute to his efforts in designing and developing the garden. The Rose Garden is located on Mettlers Road (Parking Lot A) in the East Millstone section of Franklin Township’s Colonial Park. 

From late spring through fall, the roses present a kaleidoscope of color, form, and fragrance. Visitors can view popular modern hybrids, species, and various classes of Old Garden Roses. All roses are clearly labeled for easy identification and only roses that thrive in central NJ are kept in the rose collections.

Legendary Golf Club Designer Visits NVGC

The Somerset County Park Commission and Callaway Golf welcomed legendary golf club designer and short-game expert Roger Cleveland at Neshanic Valley Golf Course, 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, New Jersey on Sunday, October 9, 2016.

Mr. Cleveland hosted a “Short-game Techniques Clinic,” explaining and demonstrating wedge play.

Mr. Cleveland now serves on a Callaway Golf team of design experts following his founding of the Cleveland Golf Company in 1979. He joined Callaway in 1996 as chief club designer and under his direction launched the Callaway Golf Forged Wedges constructed from carbon steel and featuring a face with modified U grooves.

Neshanic Valley Golf Course 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 Callaway Golf 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.

For information call 908-369-8200. Information on Somerset County Park Commission activities and programs may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org.

TR Manager Earns Statewide Recognition

-->

On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, Dina Trunzo, CTRS, Therapeutic Recreation Manager for the Somerset County Park Commission, received the Evelyn N. Aronow Award from the New Jersey Commission on Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities.

The award is bestowed upon an outstanding individual who through legislation, education, public relations, and technical support, has promoted growth and development and made a lasting contribution to community recreation services for individuals with disabilities in New Jersey.

The award was presented at the Commission’s Annual Conference by an Aronow family member representing the Aronow Family Foundation who stated that Evelyn would be proud to see a professional such as Dina receive this award in her memory.

The Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation Department uses recreation to help people with disabilities to develop and experience leisure in ways that support health, functional abilities, educational needs, independence and quality of life. Through the use of a variety of social, cultural, artistic, and culinary programs, as well as sports, fitness, community outings, horticulture, and special events, participants can improve social skills, enhance self-esteem, improve overall health and well-being and physical ability, enhance communication skills, constructively use leisure time, eliminate boredom, reduction of stress and anxiety, and enhance skill development.

For information on Therapeutic Recreation and other Somerset County Park Commission programs and activities may be found at 908-722-1200 or www.somersetcountyparks.org.

Please Don't Feed the Geese

Among the many advantages to living in Somerset County is a remarkable combination of urban and suburban environments. Somerset County residents enjoy virtually immediate access to major commercial and cultural centers while living in a “green” county with open space purchases by the Board of Chosen Freeholders serving to ensure more than 14,500 acres of green space preserved in perpetuity.

These extensive active and passive recreation areas have created a unique interaction among humans and waterfowl, one that should remain at arm’s length because feeding may be harmful or fatal to wild birds.

Waterfowl have patterns by which they seek out and feed on nutritious marsh and grassbud plants. In our region, extreme cold and snow severely reduces the quality and quantity of important foods. Most waterfowl migrate south in search of a habitat that will support them before returning in the spring to their breeding grounds where they are a familiar part of the Somerset County landscape.

Many of these migratory birds are sidetracked when they stop to feed or rest in the lakes and marsh areas found in Somerset County. These new homes become even more appealing when they are fed by well-meaning individuals, delaying their migration and enticing them to become permanent residents.

Very often, the food provided is “junk food,” including popcorn, potato chips and bread. Unfortunately, though willingly accepted by the wildfowl, these foods lack important nutritional value. The result is that the birds become dependent upon handouts and stop seeking the natural, more nutritious foods that they require. In addition, these birds often congregate in small areas, competing for the new food source, resulting in overcrowding, competition, and a new susceptibility to life threatening diseases.

In the end, the seemingly kind and generous act of feeding waterfowl can foster a continuing cycle of spreading disease and creating a nuisance by damaging park land, golf courses, residential lawns, and creating water quality problems caused by droppings in ponds.

Please remember that these marvelous creatures are wild animals that should be enjoyed through observation and photography, not through feeding.

Current information on all Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling the Park Commission at 908-722-1200 or NJ Relay at 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment.

Park Foundation Provides New Therapeutic Recreation Van

The Somerset County Park Commission has taken delivery of specially outfitted van for use by the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Department.

The $56,000 Ford Transit 350 van was purchased for the TR Department by the Somerset County Park Foundation, utilizing funds raised from the annual Pro-Celebrity Golf Outing, various other fund raising events, and contributions.

The van, adapted with a lift and wheelchair securement system, is used to transport people with disabilities living in participating Somerset County communities and registered for TR services. TR programs and activities are designed to promote an active leisure lifestyle that improves social, physical, cognitive and emotional functioning and health while enhancing abilities.

“Available transportation is too frequently the reason why individuals don’t and can’t participate in our programs,” stated Dina Trunzo, Manager of Therapeutic Recreation. “The new van will allow more individuals with mobility impairments to utilize our services.”

“The ability to provide a necessary resource for the Therapeutic Recreation Department is a tribute to the hundreds of individuals and companies that support the Park Foundation,” stated Foundation Chair John Kitchen.

Tribute Benches & Trees Available in Somerset County Parks

The Somerset County Park Foundation is providing 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. 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.

Mandela Washington Fellow Visits EEC

In mid-July, staff at the Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center were honored to entertain a visit from Mamoudou Berete (Kunta), a traveling professional from Guinea in West Central Africa. He is one of approximately 1,000 Mandela Washington Fellowship participants across the country. The visit was arranged in partnership with United Way and Rutgers University.

Kunta is the president of Committed Young People for Sustainable Development and volunteers at the public school as an English teacher. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, he plans to continue his work in civic education and environmental protection, while encouraging people in his community to educate children and promote equal justice for everyone.

In discussing the comparative environments of West Central Africa and the eastern United States, he explained that diamond and gold mining are prevalent in the region where he lives.  He explained that he has experienced first hand the hazards of mining through the loss of his brother in a mining accident and witnessing the destruction of the environment all around him with people leveling trees and digging mines in the middle of roads and towns.

His belief is that by educating Guinea’s youth they will choose a better life style than working in the mines and focus more on helping preserve natural resources. To that end he has created a volunteer organization to educate the local children and teens in methods of preserving their environment.

Visiting the EEC, he learned about the children and adult program offerings, research projects, and the trail system, enjoying a tour of the classrooms and observing Coyote Kids and Eco Explorers summer programs. Details are in the process of being prepared to conduct a live Naturalist program utilizing an online video chat between Guinea and Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

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

Become a Permanent Part of 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.

The next scheduled order of engraved bricks is anticipated in the coming weeks for placement in time for the holidays.

“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

Park Commission Thanks Volunteers

The Somerset County Park Commission experienced another very successful year in 2015, attributable in large part to the hundreds of volunteers who support Park staff to enable us to provide the extraordinary array of programs, events, and services that our community expects and deserves.

Volunteer contributions enable the Commission to achieve new goals and reach higher standards of quality programming. During 2015, individual, volunteers contributed 8,218 hours of service, saving the Park Commission the equivalent of more than $211,000 in salaries. In addition, group and corporate volunteers donated 1,100 hours assisting the Park Rangers and the Environmental Education Center staff.

Volunteers assisted Leonard J. Buck Garden staff with tasks including weeding, watering, pruning, and mulching. Buck Garden volunteers contributed 370 hours assisting with a variety of maintenance projects and programs.  Volunteer John Hosmer, who dedicates his time and talent to Buck Garden, was awarded the Park Commission Volunteer of the Year Award. The Colonial Park Gardens volunteers contributed another 463 hours.

The Commission also is grateful for the contributions of Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold Award candidates for their efforts. Eagle Scout candidates completed projects at the EEC to improve the park and fulfill their project requirements.  Anthony Cuonzo, Troop 56, built a Barn Swallow barn and nesting platforms to encourage Barn Swallow nesting; Austin Mistretta, Troop 150, completed a trail drainage project and improved a new trail; Bill Murray, Troop 555, built bat roosting boxes to help endangered and threatened bat species; and Rockland Van Weele, Troop 56, built platforms to cover wet areas on a trail used for public programming.  Members of Troop 56 replaced trail maps as a service project for their 100 mile badge.

With the efforts of Eastern Mountain Sports, Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association, Access Fund, REI, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, scout groups, and the Volunteer Park Patrol, 595 hours were donated for trail maintenance and park beautification projects.  On National Trails Day, Park Rangers, Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association, Eastern Mountain Sports, and volunteers worked to conduct general trail maintenance to the Washington Valley Park trail system.

Five corporations and one Alumni group each contributed a day of volunteering at the EEC.  These included AON Hewitt, ATT, Johnson Controls, Lehigh University Alumni, L’Oreal, and Prudential. In total, 422 volunteer hours were donated to the EEC by these organizations who planted trees, assisted with meadow restoration projects,mulched gardens, planting trees, and cleared invasive plants around the EEC West Observation Blind.  Johnson Controls deconstructed a crumbling garden wall and funded the purchase of materials to build a replacement wall.     

Volunteers are an integral part of the riding program at Lord Stirling Stable, serving in roles from clerical help in the office and teaching assistants during lessons, to grooming horses and mucking stalls. One hundred twenty-five  volunteers throughout the year contributed 3,500 hours of time to help ensure a continued tradition of excellent programming at the Stable. Students from the Centenary College Equine Science program dedicated a day to painting and re-numbering the mounting blocks on the trails. 

The Hughes family of Hughes-Plumer continues to provide a unique level of volunteer service resulting in of thousands of dollars raised annually for the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) program. For the past 25 years, they have served as corporate partners of the Pro/Celebrity Golf Tournament, which directly benefits the TR participants and enhances the programs and services offered.  The 2016 event raised more than $125,000.

For information on volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups, or companies, please call Nancy Meola, Volunteer Committee Chair at nmeola@scparks.org or 908 766-5955 (NJ Relay at 711 for individuals with a hearing impairment). Information on Somerset County Park Commission programs and activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.

Investors Helps Repair the Boondocks Boarwalk

Investors Foundation (Investors Bank) and the Somerset County Park Foundation each provided generous donations to the Environmental Education Center (EEC) for the express purpose of completing the reconstruction of the “Boondocks Boardwalk” located in Lord Stirling Park.

At the February meeting of the Park Foundation representatives from Investors met with EEC staff to present a check in the amount of $25,000 which was matched by the Foundation and added to the $11,500+ earned through a crowd funding source. These funds will be used for materials to repair the “Boondocks Boardwalk” at the EEC.

·   

In 2011 and 2012, Hurricanes Irene and Sandy damaged one of the most beloved and biologically rich stretches along the 9-mile trail system in Lord Stirling Park at the EEC, 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

The 900-foot “Boondocks Boardwalk” trail was severely damaged and has remained closed to the public. Prior to its closure it was considered by visitors to Lord Stirling Park as a treasure due to its remoteness and solitude. It is well known as a unique habitat and an excellent spot for birding and discovering wildlife.

Park guests who regularly walk the EEC trails for exercise and to enjoy the ever-changing beauty of nature have asked that this section of trail in the western edge of the Great Swamp be rebuilt. In addition to general hiking, the trail will be used for school tours, summer science programs and birding programs.

The construction will be done by the Somerset County Handymen Volunteer program. Trials are expected to be open to the public in July of 2016.

“Investors came through for the people of the region who enjoy the peace, the solitude, the wildlife, and opportunity to walk the boardwalk into the deepest parks of Lord Stirling Park,” commented Shawn McCrohan, Manager of Environmental Science. “The Boondocks Boardwalk is an important part of our infrastructure and to have it back will be an advantage for all.”    

The EEC is nestled within 425 acres of the western portion of the Great Swamp Basin of the Passaic River. The variety of habitats of floodplains, swamps, rivers, intermittent streams, marshes, meadows, and natural and man-made ponds, fields, and forests provide homes for diverse plant and animal populations in this environmentally sensitive park.

.

A video describing the ‘Boondocks Boardwalk’ is available at https://youtu.be/SJbqj64gne8. Details on the project may be found by calling the EEC at 908-766-2489.

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

Host Your Event in County Parks

The Somerset County Park Commission offers interesting and exciting opportunities for individuals, families, civic and social organizations, and companies to host special events at park facilities. Somerset County parks regularly host family reunions, private and corporate picnics, dog shows, scout events, athletic events including league play and tournaments, corporate tennis leagues, wedding photos, and a myriad of special events.

Over the years, the popularity of the parks and the variety of the facilities has resulted in a tremendous increase in usage. To assure that events fulfill all expectations, the Park Commission has implemented an application process that assures access to low cost opportunities. Reservations should be submitted a minimum of two to four weeks prior to an event to assure that dates remain open for the desired facility. A reasonable fee schedule for facilities ranging ball fields to the Somerset County Showmobile stage and sound system is available.

Picnics are permitted at North Branch Park and Duke Island Park in Bridgewater Township and Colonial Park in Franklin Township with all facilities equipped with tables and grills. Three pavilion picnic areas are available at Duke Island Park and two at Colonial Park. Ball fields are available at all three parks and at the Torpey Athletic Complex, which also features a multi-purpose synthetic turf field. The Howe Athletic Complex at Colonial Park features soccer fields and a cricket pitch. Tennis courts are found at Colonial Park and the Green Knoll Tennis Center is Bridgewater. Skillman Park, the newest general use park, accepts applications for special events including 5K runs and the Special Olympics.

The Flying Field at North Branch Park is available for anyone holding a valid AMA License and a Park Commission Flying Field Permit. New Federal Aviation mandates requires that all pilots of unmanned aircraft also register with the FAA.

The Arboretum and Rose Garden at Colonial Park, Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills and Natirar Park in Peapack offer opportunities for spectacular wedding photos throughout the spring and summer.

Applications for any of these facilities may be obtained by calling the Somerset County Park Commission at 908-722-1200, ext. 225 or writing to P.O. Box 5327, North Branch, NJ 08876.

Applications for the Arboretum and Rose Garden at Colonial Park may be obtained by calling 732-873-2459, ext. 21. For Leonard J. Buck Garden, call 908- 234-2677, ext. 21. Upon receipt of the application request and confirmation of date availability, the event will be penciled into the general calendar.

Information on all Somerset County Park Commission programs and activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org. Complete descriptions and photos of all facilities are also available on the web site.

Play World Class Golf Courses at Neshanic Valley

The Somerset County Park Commission has announced that an HDGolf simulator is now available at the Neshanic Valley Golf Course Learning Center, 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, New Jersey.

The High Definition Golf™ simulator sets the standard for indoor golf accuracy and realism. Revolutionary image processing software combines high resolution digital images, satellite data, and geophysical data into 3D models of golf courses. Representations look real and are completely accurate everywhere on the course with every tree, bunker and hazard reproduced exactly. Additionally, the simulator provides comprehensive and precise shot analysis including ball speed, club speed, launch angle, club face angle, ball spin and spin axis at high accuracy.

Among the courses available at the Learning Center are: Pebble Beach®, St, Andrews®, Pinehurst®, Kiawah Island®, Spyglass®, Doral®, Harbourtown®, Troon North®, Bethpage Black®, Banff Springs® and many others.

The simulator is available for indoor play year around on Monday to Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Golfers are asked to wear casual attire and no spikes.

Fee is $50.00 per hour weekdays and $60 per hour weekends. Fees are computed based on the number of hours booked divided by the number of players.

For information and reservations, call the Learning Center at 908-369-8232. For information on all Park Commission programs and activities, log onto www.somersetcountyparks.org.