Leonard J. Buck Garden Seeking Volunteers

Somerset County Park Commission Leonard J. Buck Garden, located at 11 Layton Road in Far Hills, is looking for energetic volunteers to assist in general garden maintenance, act as docents, and lead tours throughout the nationally recognized rock garden.

Individuals who enjoy people and love gardening will have the opportuniuty to come share their passion and plant knowledge with fellow gardeners as a Garden Guide or Horticultural Assistant.

Tasks for trained Garden Guides include giving guided tours, greeting visitors, and answering questions. Tours are scheduled during the week and on Sunday afternoons in spring, early summer, and occasionally into autumn. Garden Guide training focuses on the many distinctive plants growing at Buck Garden plus the garden’s rich history. Training consists of five orientation sessions on alternate Thursdays from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. The first session this year is scheduled for April 2, 2020. This training is free, however pre-registration is required.

Also needed are Horticultural Assistants who help maintain various garden duties in the garden.  Working with the horticultural staff, volunteers will help with all of the tasks required to keep the garden in excellent condition. Planting, watering, weeding, mulching, pruning, and deadheading flowers are some of the gardening tasks. Gardening knowledge and experience is very much appreciated.

People 18 years of age and older who enjoy everything gardening, working outdoors, meeting new people with similar interests, and want to become part of our team should call call 908-722-1200 Ext. 5621.

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.

Tucked among the rocks are rare and exotic rock garden plants. The wooded trails connecting the outcroppings are lined with beautiful wild flowers that have flourished and multiplied through the years. Throughout the garden grow various trees, shrubs, and perennials.

Information on Somerset County Park Commission programs and activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.

NVGC Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Somerset County Park Commission Neshanic Valley Golf Course (NVGC) has been recognized for its 10^th consecutive year as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary”. The recognition comes through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International (AI) program. NVGC was first designated in 2009 and is one of 858 courses in the world to currently be designated as such.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect natural resources. Program participation is designed to help course personnel plan, organize, implement, and document a comprehensive environmental management program and receive recognition for their efforts.

"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Christine Kane, Executive Director of AI. “These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management. Courses go through a recertification process every three years.”

The recertification process was coordinated by Andrew Hojnowski, Manager of Golf Maintenance at NVGC. Of the course’s recertification, Hojnowski commented: “Environmental stewardship has always been a top priority at Neshanic Valley and we strive to ensure that we fulfill our responsibility to the environment and to our golfers. We continually prove that we can maintain the highest quality golfing experience while still protecting the environment around us.”

Neshanic Valley has also earned “River-Friendly” designation from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority; “Groundwater Guardian” by the Groundwater Foundation; “Environmental Stewardship” by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; and has been named 36^th Best Municipal Golf Course in the country by Golfweek magazine.

Neshanic Valley is 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 offers a state-of-the-art computerized golf club fitting and swing analysis system, operated by Callaway-trained professionals. The Center also houses the HDGolf Simulator with a selection of 26 championship courses.

Information on Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org

Make Wedding Ceremony/Photo Reservations at Gardens

The Horticulture Department of the Somerset County Park Commission is accepting reservations for wedding ceremonies and photos at the following locations: Colonial Park Gardens, namely the Arboretum (for ceremonies and photos) and the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden (for photography only). The Leonard J. Buck Garden is accepting reservations for wedding photography only. The fee for each garden is $150.00 per hour. 

Colonial Park Gardens is located in Colonial Park, Somerset, (Franklin Township), New Jersey.

The one-acre Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden is a display garden, comprising one acre of plantings with more than 3,000 roses in more than 325 varieties. The garden is at its peak bloom in late May and June. 

Since the Perennial Garden is under renovation, we cannot accommodate wedding ceremonies and photography. 

The 144-acre Arboretum provides displays of flowering trees, evergreens, shade trees, dwarf conifers, and flowering shrubs. This includes the three-acre Shrub Collection which showcases plants that grow well in central NJ and are designed to give year-round interest by using flowering shrubs; trees; perennials; and ornamental grasses; and the areas surrounding the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden and the Perennial Garden. 

The Leonard J. Buck Garden, located at 11 Layton Road in Far Hills, is a unique naturalistic garden of great beauty. Well-known for its numerous wildflowers, shrubs, and beautiful shade trees, this woodland rock garden is the perfect setting for spectacular wedding photos. This 13-acre rock garden is set within a 29-acre natural woodland area and features a rustic gazebo and bridges, sparkling pond, flowing stream, and winding paths leading to your memorable wedding photo site. 

Reservations, at least two weeks prior to the wedding date, may be made by calling 908- 722-1200 ext. 5721 for the Colonial Park Gardens and ext. 5621 for the Leonard J. Buck Garden. Individuals with hearing/speech impairment may use the NJ Relay Service at 711. The reservation line for Colonial Park Gardens is available from Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 3:00pm and the Leonard J. Buck Garden from 9:00am to 4:00pm (except for holidays). 

Information on Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.

Host Your Event in Somerset County Parks

The Somerset County Park Commission offers interesting and entertaining opportunities for individuals, families, civic, social organizations, and companies to host special events at park facilities.

Somerset County Park Commission regularly host family and corporate picnics, dog shows, scout events, athletic events, including league play and tournaments, corporate tennis leagues, wedding photos, guided tours of Colonial Park Gardens, 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. Reservations should be submitted a minimum of two to four weeks prior to an event to confirm that dates remain open for the desired facility. A reasonable fee schedule for facilities ranging from 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, East County Park in Warren 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, one at East County Park, and two at Colonial Park. Somerset County residents, corporations, and organizations may make reservations beginning March 1. Non-residents may make reservations beginning April 1. A request may be submitted by visiting www.somersetcountyparks.org and clicking on the green tab that reads “online registration.”

Torpey Athletic Complex, in Bridgewater Township features a baseball field, softball field, and a multi-purpose synthetic turf field that is lined for three sports. The Howe Athletic Complex at Colonial Park features soccer fields and a cricket pitch. The Mountain View Park, in Hillsborough Township features seven ball fields. Tennis courts are found at Colonial Park, in Franklin and the Green Knoll Tennis Center, in Bridgewater. Skillman Park, in Montgomery accepts applications for special events including organized runs and special events.

The Flying Field at North Branch Park is available for anyone holding a valid AMA License, is registered with the FAA, and has a Park Commission Flying Field Permit.

The Colonial Park Gardens in Somerset, namely the Arboretum and the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden offer opportunities for wedding ceremonies and

pictures (Arboretum); wedding pictures (Rose Garden), and guided tours.  Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills and Natirar Park in Peapack offer opportunities for spectacular wedding photos throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

Applications for any of these facilities may be obtained by calling 908-722-1200, ext. 5225 or emailing kbehr@scparks.org.

Applications for the Arboretum and Rose Garden at Colonial Park may be obtained by calling 908-722-1200, ext. 5721. For Leonard J. Buck Garden, call 908-722-1200, ext. 5621.

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.

Golf Registration to Include Tee Time Service

The Somerset County Park Commission Golf Division has announced that all registration fees for 2020 will include 7-day advanced access to the tee time reservation system.

Registration will allow golfers to reserve tee times 7 days in advance at all five Championship courses: Neshanic Valley on South Branch Road in Neshanic Station; Green Knoll on Garretson Road in Bridgewater; Quail Brook on New Brunswick Road in Somerset; Spooky Brook at Colonial Park; and Warrenbrook on Warrenville Road in Warren.

Park Commission Golf Identification Cards are good for one calendar year and will be available for sale beginning Thursday, January 2, 2020 at the Pro Shops at Spooky Brook and Neshanic Valley. Green Knoll, Quail Brook, and Warrenbrook will open in the spring.

Registration fees including tee time reservation for 2020 are:$65 for resident adults; $60 for resident junior adult; $50 for resident senior (62 & over); $50 for resident junior (18 years & under); $210 for non-resident adult; and $185 for non-resident junior or senior.

Information of all golf facilities may be obtained by calling the Somerset County Park Commission at 908-722-1200, ext. 5421. Information on all Park Commission programs and activities may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org.

Park Commission Dedicates Duke Island Park Playground

The Somerset County Park Commission dedicated a new playground at Duke Island Park to Raymond Willis Brown, late son of recently retired Park Commission Director Ray Brown and Roseann Brown. Duke Island Park is located off Old York Road in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Raymond Willis Brown’s life was cut short, at the age of 32, by a tragic incident that occurred while painting a mural on a high-rise building in Hollywood, Florida.  Raymond grew up in Bridgewater Township and attended school in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.  He had a distinct passion for the arts; was an exceptional artist, an art handler, and a self-taught musician.   Most notably, for purposes of the Park Commission’s dedication, Raymond spent a multitude of hours as a young boy with his mother and his father swinging, climbing, sliding, and generally having an enjoyable time at the Duke Island Park playground.

This past June, the Park Commissioners unanimously agreed that the dedication of the new playground at Duke Island Park was an exceptionally fitting honor to the entire Brown Family. Construction of the new playground commenced on November 6, 2019, and was completed late last week.

The new playground equipment is designed for all age groups.  The large central structure features a three story Mega Tower and the Aquarius Webscape climbing structure.  The playground includes a Ten Spin, Saddle Seat, Boulder Tunnel, Sensory Panels, and a variety of swings. The playground meets requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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

Give a Commemorative Bench, Tree, or Brick

The Somerset County Park Foundation is providing an opportunity to create a lasting memory in one of the many properties that comprise the Somerset County park system through the purchase of a commemorative brick, tree or bench. Purchases support the valuable programs funded by the Somerset County Park Foundation and offered by the Somerset County Park Commission.

Holiday gifts of a Commemorative Brick at the entrance to TD Bank Ballpark or a Tribute Bench or Legacy Tree in a designated county park provide an enduring tribute to family or friends.

Commemorative bricks will be placed at 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 are available at $100 each and will be engraved with a maximum of three (3) lines of twenty (20) characters including spaces and punctuation.

A tax-deductible donation of $2,500.00 will earn the placement of a bench or tree a designated county park of choice 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.

Living Legacy Trees provide individuals and organizations with the opportunity to honor people and commemorate special events by planting trees in Somerset County parks. Park Commission Horticulture staff and the contributor will agree on an approved species based on the desired planting site. Alternatively, a donor may 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.

The popularity of the program has created new opportunities for locations to place benches including East County Park in Warren Township, Skillman Park in Montgomery Township, and Mountain View Park in Hillsborough Township. 

The timing and specific location of placement of benches, trees, and bricks in designated parks will be at the discretion of Parks staff. A certificate will be provided for holiday gift giving.

The Park Foundation is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization created for the purpose of preserving, supporting, and promoting Somerset County Park Commission programs, facilities, and open space through advocacy and fundraising.  The Park Commission is an entity which was established in 1956 by voter referendum and is funded, in part, by the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders utilizing taxpayer dollars. 

Information is available at www.somersetcountyparks.org.  For information call the Park Foundation at 908-722-1200, ext. 5237.

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