Addidional Facilities to Re-open beginning June 13

Based on Governor Murphy’s recent Executive Order allowing an increase in the number of people permitted at outdoor gatherings and the lifting of the stay-at-home order, the Somerset County Park Commission will re-open a number of outdoor facilities with certain restrictions in place.

Leonard J. Buck Garden at 11 Layton Road in Far Hills, NJ will open on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. Hours of operation will be 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Tuesdays through Fridays; 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. on Saturdays; and 12:00 Noon to 5:00 P.M. on Sundays. There are no restroom facilities available.

Garden capacity will be limited to 50 visitors at a time; guests are asked to limit visits to one hour, social distancing guidelines should be followed, face coverings are strongly recommended, and the Visitor Center and restrooms will be closed.

Leonard J. Buck Garden is one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States consisting of a series of alpine and woodland garden areas situated in a 29-acre wooded stream valley.

The Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden in Colonial Park at 156 Mettlers Road in Somerset, NJ will open on Monday, June 15, 2020. Hours of operation are 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Mondays through Fridays (the Garden will be closed Wednesdays for maintenance); 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Saturdays; 8:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. on Sundays for seniors only; and 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Sundays. There are no restroom facilities available.

Garden capacity will be limited to 25 visitors. Visits should be limited to 30 minutes, social distancing guidelines should be followed, and face coverings are strongly recommended.

The Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden is one-acre in size and contains more than 3,000 roses of 325 varieties.

Leash-free Dog Parks at Colonial Park in Somerset, East County Park in Warren, and Skillman Park in Skillman will open Saturday, June 13, 2020 and will remain open daily during daylight hours. There are no restroom facilities available.

The Washington Valley Hawk Watch parking lot off Miller Lane in Bridgewater, NJ will open Saturday, June 13, 2020 and will be open daily during daylight hours. From August through November, the Hawk Watch is features thousands of hawks, falcons, and eagles flying overhead. There are no restroom facilities available.Washington Rock Park on Washington Avenue in Green Brook will open on Saturday, June 13, 2020 and remain open daily during daylight hours. Washington Rock was a valuable lookout point during the American Revolution for General George Washington providing a thirty-mile panoramic view of the valley. There are no restroom facilities available.

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