Local Artist "Camouflages" Warrenbrook Facility

Well-known local portrait artist Jamie Lindholm of The Martinsville Studio has returned to her roots when she began painting landscapes and still life with her project at Warrenbrook Golf Course on Warrenville Road in Warren Township.

Between the 11^th green and 12^th tee is a small concrete building that houses the ladies’ and men’s room. The formerly nondescript exterior now sports a lovely painted window treatment and flower box on the ladies’ side and a camouflage painting that blends in with the landscape on the men’s side.

Playing golf on Tuesdays at Warrenbrook, Lindholm was familiar with the facility centrally located on the 18-hole championship golf course. Manager of the facility, Bill McCallum, discovering that his regular customer was an artist, arranged to have the work completed.

“For what can best be described as a concrete bunker is now a far more attractive facility that blends in nicely with its surroundings,” commented McCallum.

“I really enjoy playing golf at Warrenbrook and am happy to make a contribution to the landscape on the course,” add Lindholm.

Warrenbrook is one of five championship golf courses in the Somerset County Park System. In addition to Warrenbrook are Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Neshanic Station, Green Knoll Golf Course in Bridgewater, and Spooky Brook and Quail Brook Golf Courses in Franklin Township.

It was recently announced that all five county golf courses have been recognized as River-Friendly by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and as Groundwater Guardians by the Groundwater Foundation.

Information on Somerset County Park Commission programs and facilities is available at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-722-1200.

Tribute Benches & Legacy Trees Available in County Parks

The Somerset County Park Foundation has announced a new program to provide 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 for each park. 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.

Engraved Bricks Available at TD Bank Ballpark

The Somerset County Park Foundation, in cooperation with the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, is offering the general public the chance to become a permanent part of history at TD Bank Ballpark, home of the Somerset Patriots. The purchase of an engraved brick placed in the main gate at the Ballpark provides both a permanent remembrance and a scholarship opportunity for children and young adults to participate in Park Commission programs.

“Foundation of Opportunities” is a program that provides funding to support the Somerset County Park Foundation Scholarship Fund that assist participants of the Park Commission's Therapeutic Recreation Department. The Fund provides opportunities for children and young adults to participate in recreational programs and services at low or no cost.

Personalized engraved bricks will be installed in 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 can recognize family members, friends, loved-ones, customers, and those who have made meaningful contributions to the legacy of Somerset County.

Bricks are available at $65 each and will be engraved with a maximum of three (3) lines of twenty (20) characters including spaces and punctuation. “Foundation of Opportunities” application is available at www.somersetcountyparks.org.  For information call the Park Foundation at 908-722-1200, ext. 228.

“The Park Foundation greatly appreciates the Freeholders' endorsement of this program that will continue to expand scholarship opportunities,” stated John Kitchen, Chair of the Foundation. “The Foundation is proud of the efforts of the Therapeutic Recreation Department and the fact that annually the Scholarship Program supports one-quarter of the participants enjoying the services of Therapeutic Recreation.”

The Therapeutic Recreation Program is a cooperative effort between the Park Commission and 16 municipalities, providing year-round recreation opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Programs include Camp Okee Sunokee, a six-week day camp for children age 7 to 14 with learning disabilities or Asperger's Syndrome; Summer Adventure, a two-week summer program for high school teens and young adults, ages 15-21; Kid Connection, a year-round program for children ages 6-12 with a developmental disability; Teen and Adult Programs featuring a variety of social, cultural, artistic, culinary, sports, fitness, community outings, horticulture, and overnight trips; and T.R.A.I.L.S., an adapted horseback riding program.

All County Golf Courses Now River-Friendly

 

At a gathering at Warrenbrook Golf Course on Warrenville Road in Warren Township, Somerset County Freeholders, Park Commissioners, representatives from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA), and Park Commission staff celebrated as Warrenbrook became the fifth and final golf course to be recognized as both River Friendly and a Groundwater Guardian. 
 
Participating in the NJWSA River-Friendly program for golf courses has allowed the Park Commission staff to access the tools and receive the guidance needed to make the golf courses more protective of water resources while maintaining a high standard of play. Through the program, golf course staff have worked to attain specific goals and requirements in the areas of Water Quality Management, Water Conservation Techniques, Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement, and Education and Outreach. 

The Somerset County River-Friendly courses joining Warrenbrook are Green Knoll in Bridgewater, Neshanic Valley in Neshanic Station, and Spooky Brook and Quail Brook in Somerset. All five golf courses increased the acreage of ‘reduced mow’ zones that require less maintenance and reduced chemical application. In addition, staff tracks and monitors chemical and fertilizer usage to assist in understanding the specific needs of the course. Additional actions include the installation of blue bird and bat boxes throughout the properties to increase native wildlife and the addition of educational signage to help highlight the importance of natural areas. 

In addition, all five courses have been named “Groundwater Guardian Green Sites” by the Groundwater Foundation, honoring the facilities’ groundwater and environmental stewardship. The program recognizes green spaces for implementing groundwater and surface water-friendly practices. Qualification includes selection of appropriate plantings, tracking irrigation water use, maintaining a no-application zone around surface water and active wells, and applying fertilizer based on nutrient needs. 

"Earning these two very special designations is a credit to the staff at each of the county courses and the leadership of the Park Commissioners,” commented Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance for the Park Commission. “We understand our responsibility to the environment and our responsibility to provide championship golf facilities. We are extremely proud that we have been recognized for accomplishing both.” 

Kathy Hale, Principal Watershed Protection Specialist, commented “NJWSA congratulates Warrenbrook Golf Course on becoming the fifth Somerset County

golf course to receive River-Friendly certification. The stewardship actions taken by Tammy Stephens and her staff reflect their commitment to protection of drinking water in the Raritan Basin.” 

 

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority operates the state-owned Spruce Run, Round Valley, and Manasquan Reservoirs and the Delaware & Raritan Canal, which provide drinking water for approximately 1.5 million New Jersey residents. The Authority's Watershed Protection Programs Division administers the River-Friendly Programs to protect the quality of the regions' drinking water supply. For more information on River- Friendly Programs and other projects in the Raritan River Basin, visit www.raritanbasin.org/riv erfriendly.html. 

The Groundwater Foundations mission is to educate people and inspire action to ensure sustainable, clean groundwater for future generations. Information is available at www.groundwater.org. 

Information on Somerset County Park Commission activities and programs may be found at www.somersetcountypark

s.org or by calling 908-722-1200.

Stay Healthy & Fit with Duke Island Wednesday Walkers

Individuals looking for brisk weekly walk are invited to join a weekly walking group that meets every Wednesday at 9:30 A.M. at the Duke Island Visitor’s Center for a healthy walk through Duke Island Park along a beautiful stretch of the Raritan River. Coffee, tea, and treats will be provided.  For information call 908-722-1200, ext. 226.

Duke Island Park is located off Old York Road in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The walk is free of charge and continues weekly as weather permits.

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

Rudolf van der Goot Rose Garden Earns International Award

The Somerset County Park Commission has proudly announced that the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden at Colonial Park in Somerset, New Jersey is the recipient of the 2015 World Federation of Rose Societies' (WFRS) Garden of Excellence Award.

Submitted to the WFRS headquarters in Australia with other submissions from throughout the world, the nomination was initiated by a member of the Jersey Shore Rose Society in July of 2014. Members of the American Rose Society and Master Rosarians toured, photographed, and critiqued the garden, judging its qualifying characteristics.

The highly competitive and prestigious award has been earned by internationally renowned gardens including La Roseraie de Bagatelle in France, the Garden of Roses in England, and Washington Park in Portland, Oregon along with gardens in Argentina, China, Italy, Pakistan, South Africa, and other countries throughout the world. Jolene Adams, President of the American Rose Society, was in Lyon, France to accept the award on behalf of the Somerset County Park Commission.

The Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden is one acre in size and contains more than 3,000 roses of 325 varieties. The garden was named in honor of Rudolf W. van der Goot, the first horticulturist with the Somerset County Park Commission, as a tribute to his efforts in designing and developing the garden. The Rose Garden is located on Mettlers Road (Parking Lot A and F) in the East Millstone section of Franklin Township’s Colonial Park.

From late spring through fall, the roses present a kaleidoscope of color, form, and fragrance. Visitors can view popular modern hybrids, species, and various classes of Old Garden Roses. All roses are clearly labeled for easy identification and only roses that thrive in central NJ are kept in the rose collections.

Neshanic Valley Golf Course Earns Prestigious Environmental Award

--> -->

Neshanic Valley Golf Course, 2301 South Branch Road, Neshanic Station, New Jersey, has added to the long list of environmental recognition the facility has received in its first 10 years of operation, earning the prestigious Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) Arthur P. Weber Environmental Leaders in Golf Award.

The MGA is comprised of clubs throughout the tri-state area. The MGA is one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most respected golf organizations with nearly 140,000 members.

The Arthur P. Weber MGA Club Environmental Leaders in Golf Award recognizes an MGA member club that demonstrates environmental stewardship through golf course maintenance, construction, education, and research.

Neshanic Valley is the first public facility to earn the award. Prior recipients include: Trump National, Bedminster, NJ – 2007; Sebonack Golf Club, Southhampton, NY – 2008; Westchester Country Club, Rye, NY – 2009; Glen Arbor Golf Club, Bedford, NY – 2010; Round Hill Country Club, Greenwich, CT – 2011; Rockland Country Club, Sparkill, NY – 2012; Wee Burn Country Club, Darien, CT – 2013; and Manhattan Woods Country Club, West Nyack, NY – 2014.

“Earning the Weber Award is another great honor for Neshanic Valley and a tribute to the entire Park Commission, beginning with the leadership provided by the Commissioners and senior management and including the dedicated staff at the course,” commented Darrell Marcinek, Director of Golf Maintenance for the Park Commission.

In addition to the Weber Award, Neshanic Valley has been recognized by the Audubon International as a Certified Cooperative Sanctuary for preservation and enhancement of the wildlife habitat and protection of natural resources; by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority as a “River-Friendly” facility based on operational and maintenance practices; and recognized for Environmental Stewardship by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The facility has also been recognized as a Groundwater Guardian Green Site by the Groundwater Foundation.

Information on all Park Commission programs and activities may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org.