Park Commission to Help Protect Raritan River

The Somerset County Park Commission, led by the Ranger Division, has entered into a collaborative arrangement with the Raritan Headwaters Association to promote an educational initiative to protect the Raritan River from the introduction of invasive species.

The Headwaters project is funded by an Audubon Toyota TogetherGreen fellowship and focuses on spreading awareness about the nuisance alga, didymo, and the importance of leaving no trace of visits to the streams and rivers enjoyed by fisherman, kayakers and boaters.

The basic “Leave No Trace” principle being promoted is to have fishermen, kayakers, boaters, and other stream recreationalists regularly inspect their gear including removal of rocks, mud, plants, moss and other materials; thoroughly cleaning equipment to remove any attached materials; and completely dry equipment in the sun following use.

Aquatic equipment is vulnerable to transferring known aquatic invasives including whirling disease, zebra mussels, water chestnut, New Zealand mud snail and future unknown threats. Aquatic invasive species are not native to an ecosystem and when introduced can cause economic and/or environmental harm or threaten human health.

Park Commission Rangers will serve as a positive presence at parks and Commission events to educate visitors on the importance of taking personal responsibility for keeping the Raritan River healthy, clean, and safe. In addition, “Leave No Trace” flyers will be posted at Park Commission facilities along the river.

For more information on the “Leave No Trace” program contact Angela Gorczyca at agorczyca@raritanheadwaters.org or call (908) 234-1852 x315. 

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

"Ride for Autism" Raises Funds for Lord Stirling Stable Program

The Sunday, August 3, 2014 “Ride for Autism” that concluded at the Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable will provide developmentally disabled children and adults the opportunity to enjoy an alternative equestrian experience.

All of the funds raised by the “Ride,” that began in East Orange, New Jersey and featured nearly 100 riders, will be dedicated toward the Autism Awareness program at the Stable, run in conjunction with the Therapeutic Recreation Department of the Park Commission. The funds are earmarked for the purchase of a driving horse or pony trained for therapeutic recreation.

Jerzee Trend Setterz, a car and motorcycle group out of East Orange, organized the fundraiser that also included Big Body Riders, Royal Kings & Queens, Sexy Divas, Park Boyz, Seductive Diamonds, Cadillac Alliance, and High Rollaz. Participants paid $10 per rider and $5 per passenger. Approximately $1,000.00 was donated to the program. Stableworker Rodney Johnson worked with the leadership of Jerzee Trend Setterz to arrange the program and the donation.

Staff at Lord Stirling Stable welcomed the riders with free pony rides & hayrides; a Therapeutic Recreation riding demo and driving demo; and horse-painting for the kids. Hot dogs, rolls, and bottled water were donated by Wegman’s Supermarket of Bridgewater to feed the crowd of riders and friends. Maximum Tint & Sound of Somerville, NJ donated music and DJ services for the event.

Lord Stirling Stable, located at 256 South Maple Avenue in basking Ridge, New Jersey, is situated on 450 acres with 18 miles of trails (wooded and fields), one indoor ring, three outdoor rings, and an outdoor-jumping course.

Police Lend Support to TR Fishing Derby

The Somerset County Association of Chiefs of Police have once again sponsored the Somerset County Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation Camp Okee Sunokee annual Fishing Derby.

Each summer, chiefs and officers from Somerset County municipalities and the the Sheriff’s Department team up with the campers to assist them as they fish at Pleasant Valley Park in Basking Ridge. The day also includes a barbeque lunch, a visit from an ice cream truck, and the landing of a State Police Helicopter.

Camp Okee Sunokee is a six-week day camp for children ages 6-14 with learning disabilities or Asperger’s Syndrome. The summer activities at Okee Sunokee encourage the development of recreation and social skills and enhance self-confidence and educational growth through the participation in a variety of activities including arts & crafts, sports & games, music, cooking, trips, and swimming.

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

Lord Stirling Stable Celebrates Multiple Anniversaries

Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable and the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable celebrated anniversaries this past weekend with the Stable commemorating its 45th year and the Friends honoring their 30 years of service to the Stable.

A beautiful night at the Stable attracted dozens of fans and supporters of Lord Stirling Stable for hayrides, hot dogs, hamburgers, soft drinks, and cakes commemorating both anniversaries.

Lord Stirling Stable is located within Lord Stirling Park in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, and is nestled within 450 acres of the western portion of the Great Swamp Basin of the Passaic River. The Stable features a large indoor ring, three outdoor rings, daily Lead Line pony rides, and 18 miles of beautiful trails.

The Friends of Lord Stirling Stable, the very active volunteer organization provides support and financial assistance for many programs at the Stable including driving events, hunter paces, weekly dog walks, Dog Days, Salute to Horsepower Car & Motorcycle Show, Mother’s and Father’s Day Trail Rides, Nature Rides, Dressage Shows, and various clinics.

For information on Stable programs and activities, please contact the Stable office at 908-766-5955 or NJ Relay 711 for individuals with hearing impairments. Information on Friends activities is available at www.flssnj.org.

Information on this and other Somerset County Park Commission events can be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org.  

Environmental Education Center "Adopts" Lord Stirling Road

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

“ADOPTS” LORD STIRLING ROAD

BASKING RIDGE, NJ – The “Adopt A Highway” application submitted by the Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center (EEC), located at 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

Joining with Bernards Township’s “Adopt A Highway” programs, staff from the EEC will police the section of Lord Stirling Road between South Maple Avenue and White Bridge Road four times a year, maintaining a clean and litter-free roadway. 

The initial clean up in the program took place on Friday, May 30, 2014. Among the items removed from the roadway were 1 car motor, 4 cans of paint, 1 bed frame, 4 bags of trash, and 5 bags of recyclables.

“Lord Stirling Road is our home and we feel an obligation to maintain it in the best condition possible,” commented Shawn McCrohan, Manager, Environmental Science for the Park Commission. “The Adopt A Highway Program provides us the opportunity to keep the road clean while participating in a much larger initiative keeping our roads and highways litter-free across the state.”

Information on Somerset County Park Commission programs and activities is available at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling the Park Commission Headquarters at 908-722-1200 or the Environmental Education Center at 908-766-2489.

Spooky Brook Earns Environmerntal Stewardship Award

Somerset County Park Commission Spooky Brook Golf Course, located at 582 Elizabeth Avenue at Colonial Park in Somerset, has earned Environmental Stewardship Recognition from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

In the letter to the golf course, NJDEP states that the agency “formally recognize(s) the voluntary and proactive measures you have taken in an effort to improve the environment.” Spooky Brook was cited for Hazardous Material Reduction; Water Use Reduction; Transportation Energy Use Reduction, and Enhancement Projects.

Spooky Brook joins Neshanic Valley Golf Course at 2301 South Branch Road in Neshanic Station, Green Knoll Golf Course at 587 Garretson Road in Bridgewater, and Quail Brook Golf Course at 625 New Brunswick Road in Somerset, all having previously received the Environmental Stewardship Certification.

In addition, the four courses have been designated Groundwater Guardians by the Groundwater Foundation and River Friendly by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority. Neshanic Valley has also been recognized an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International and as a Sustainable Business by the South Branch Watershed Association.

“The entire Park Commission golf staff maintains the highest level of awareness of environmental 

issues,” stated Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance. “Billy Martin, superintendent at 

Spooky Brook and his staff are representative of the intense commitment to protecting the 

environment while making certain that our golfers enjoy golf courses in the best condition possible.” 

Information on all Park Commission activities and program is available online at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-722-1200.

Howe Athletic Complex at Colonial Park Now Open

The Somerset County Park Commission, State and County officials, representatives from the Somerset County Park Commission, and members of Gymkhana Cricket Club, Somerset Cavaliers Cricket Club, and Dutch Total Soccer officially opened the Howe Athletic Complex at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey.

The Howe Complex, off Colonial Drive at the northeastern corner of the park near Elizabeth Avenue, includes two adult soccer fields, three youth soccer fields, and a full sized cricket pitch.

“We have been waiting a long time for a pitch like this,” commented Aslam Khan of the Cavaliers. Added Rana Aftab of Gymkhana, “It’s a beautiful pitch, perfectly flat as it should be.”

“It’s a great location and a rare thing to have so many fields in the same place,” commented Jordi Meijer of Dutch Total Soccer. “We often find ourselves spread out at many school fields but here adult and children’s games can be played at the same time.”

The facility was constructed on the former homestead of Dr. Eugene and Lois Howe. The Howe’s placed the funds received from the sale of the property to the County in a trust account to be returned to the Somerset County Park Commission upon their passing. Mrs. Howe passed away in 1995 and Dr. Howe passed in 2008. A significant portion of the trust’s assets were used to construct the complex, a generous gift to the people of Somerset County.

Dr. Howe was well known in Franklin for volunteer work that included co-founding the Meadows Foundation that continues today to serve as stewards of early Dutch and American Heritage. His passion for reading, poetry and preservation drove him to also become a volunteer at the former Franklin Inn in East Millstone, a structure that also served as a used bookstore.

Dr. Howe was employed as a scientist and researcher at MERCK & Co. where he was awarded 18 patents for his work in isolating and synthesizing amino acids.

Reservations for use of the soccer fields and cricket pitch may be made by online at http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/applications/applications.pdf or by calling the Park Commission at 908-722-1200, ext. 225.