The Somerset County Park Commission enjoyed another successful
year in 2018, attributable in large part to the hundreds of volunteers who
support Park staff, enhancing our ability to provide the extraordinary array of
programs, events, and services that our community expects and deserves.
During
2018, individual volunteers contributed 5,520 hours of service throughout the
park system. If converted into paid staff hours, this would be the equivalent
of more than $156,325. Group and corporate volunteers also donated service time
and their combined 1,308 hours equated to more than $37,000 in additional
savings.
At the Environmental Education
Center (EEC). REI and United Way assisted with the rebuilding of the Boondocks
Boardwalk Trail. Kneipp and Johnson & Johnson removed invasive plants.
BASF, Ingredion, and Alight Solutions assisted with garden cleanup, mulching,
and tree planting. Ingredion assisted with cleaning and organizing The Great
Swamp Experience exhibit and Library. Glaxo Smith Klein removed invasive
plants and re-planted the area. Portfolio Evaluations made repairs to the steps
at the Sugar Shack, shored up fence posts, and completed a fall cleanup. REI
returned in the fall to remove an old courtyard fence before painting and
installing a new fence.
Eagle Scout candidates
completed their Service Projects at the EEC. Pat Robbins, Troop 154, created a
seating area, constructed two wooden benches, and made improvements to the
canoe and kayak access. Brett D’Aprile, Troop 90, constructed and installed 55
new trail map signs. James Lapus, Troop 28, removed an old kiosk at the main
trailhead and replaced it with a new and improved version. Jack Maloney, Troop
351, constructed two new footbridges along the blue trail.
Jack Vorshiem, Troop 351,
completed his Conservation Award by removing invasive Purple Loosestrife from
the meadow near Bluebird Way. Cameron Mays, Troop 54 also completed his
Conservation Award by making repairs to a damaged deer exclosure and removing
invasive plants. In addition, several Girl Scouts baked and donated baked goods
for the Festival of Trees Snowflake Café on weekends throughout December.
Three Eagle Scout candidates
completed their Service Projects. Alex Mindish, Troop 489, built a new
boardwalk in the Sourland Mountain Preserve. Matt Emmonds, Troop 185, built
Mason Bee shelters for Buck Garden and the Colonial Park Rose Garden. Brian
Morris, also of Troop 185, created wood duck boxes for Neshanic Valley Golf
Course.
At the EEC, volunteers
assisted with program support, critter care, gardening, special event set-up
and activities, hosting the front desk, and assisting with paddling
trips. The Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association, The Sourland Conservancy,
various scout groups, and the Volunteer Park Patrol provided trail maintenance
and park beautification projects.
The Rutgers University
Outing Club helped prepare the Rose Garden for the annual Rose Day Festival and
Buck Garden volunteers served as docents to lead tours and help with plantings
throughout the garden.
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. Volunteers enabled the therapeutic
T.R.A.I.L.S. program to have side-walkers for 40 youth and adults with
disabilities. Volunteers also helped to plan and implement other special
functions such as the Dressage Show, Family Fun Day, the Fall Festival, and the
Holiday Festival.
The Friends of Lord Stirling
Stable continue to provide support with programs to attract the public and
supplemental funds to facilitate horse purchases and provide supplies for
horses with special needs. The Friends’ School Horse Retirement Committee
supports Stable horses that are no longer suitable for the lesson program until
permanent, loving homes are found.
In short, volunteerism at
our parks and facilities in 2018 was plentiful and, indeed, very much welcomed
and appreciated. Quite frankly, the Park
Commission could not achieve its mission without such a robust support
group. And, for that, the Park
Commission is most deeply grateful.
For information on volunteer opportunities for individuals,
groups, or companies, please call Nancy Meola, Volunteer Committee Chair at nmeola@scparks.org or 908-722-1200, ext. 5528 (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.
Geoff
Soriano
Director,
Somerset County Park Commission
