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.