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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Park Commission Dominates "Best of" Categories

Somerset County Park Commission facilities dominated the active and passive recreation categories in the mycentraljersey.com “2019 Best Of” ratings.

The Colonial Park Putting Course was honored in the category of “Outdoor Amusement;” Colonial Park and Duke Island Park were honored in the “Best Park” category; Quail Brook Golf Course in Somerset was selected in the “Best Golf” category; and Duke Island Park in Bridgewater was voted as the “Best Place to Listen to Live Music” based on the free Summer Concert series.

“The Somerset County Park Commissioners and park staff are committed to providing the best possible parks, facilities, and variety of both active and passive recreation opportunities,” commented Park Director Geoff Soriano. “Being recognized in a public vote by readers of mycentraljersey.com is an indication that we are continuing on the right track.”

“Being recognized by park visitors who are also readers of mycentraljersey.com demonstrates that our commitment to this service delivery is successful, with positive experiences affirmed by these voters,” concluded Soriano.

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

Thank You to Volunteers

The Somerset County Park Commission is all about the people of Somerset County who visit the parks by the millions annually. The enjoyment of the parks is due to the efforts of employees and volunteers who assure that every visit to the parks exceeds expectations. While active and passive parks and programs and activities rely on both of these groups, it is the volunteers who are a most cherished resource.

Volunteer opportunities are available in every facet of the Park Commission. Individuals interested in wildlife and resource conservation may participate in park cleanup projects and trail construction and maintenance projects. The Volunteer Park Patrol plays an important role in maintaining trails at Washington Valley Park and the Sourland Mountain Preserve by patrolling for safety hazards and trail erosion. There are also opportunities for individuals in garden docent programs, planting, general maintenance, horse grooming, and stable cleaning.

The Park Commission welcomes volunteers with skills and interest in athletics, crafts, dance, cooking, and theater and vocal arts. Volunteers help with the Junior Golf summer program, serve as Naturalists assistants, help out with the Therapeutic Recreation programs, and assist with equestrian classes. Volunteers also support special events, helping with facilities setup and breakdown, and parking.

Scout, school, and corporate groups contributed thousands of hours in 2019. The Environmental Education Center (EEC) was fortunate to have nine eleven different corporate groups working on a variety of outdoor projects.  Petra Cephas, Celgene, Kneipp, Alight Solutions, Allergen Pharmaceutical, AM Best, Ingredion, YPD Youth Group, GlaxoSmith Kline, and Ridge High School students removed invasive plants, weeded, mulched, conducted garden clean ups, and planted native plant species. Johnson & Johnson painted a newly installed fence along with animal tracks in the Discovery Garden and REI demolished and reconstructed the decking on the West Observation Tower. 

To date, six Eagle Scout candidates have completed Service Projects at the EEC in 2019. Aiden Auer, Troop 28, constructed and installed five bat boxes throughout EEC property.  Evan D’Aprile, Troop 90, resupplied nine existing pollinator boxes with nesting material, constructed and installed four new boxes, and built new frames for pollinator signs.  Andrew Noviello, Troop 46, constructed a brand new floating dock for Esox Pond.  Luka Batljan, Troop 28, built six new benches and constructed an outdoor classroom area for Lily Pad Pond.  Nick Casey, Troop 351, demolished and re-built a partially collapsed section of footbridge along the blue trail.  Brandon Mark, Troop 54, constructed a “Welcome to the Discovery Garden” sign, and is currently working on a matching one for the Boondocks Boardwalk.  Owen Mays, Joe Doherty, and Michael Barth of Troop 54, Janak Munshi of Troop 351, and Vivek Chakrapani of Troop 134 completed boy scout conservation service hours at the EEC by removing invasive plant species, removing old piping, and planting native trees.

Rutgers Environmental Steward, Raymond Croot, constructed 16 wood duck boxes and is actively monitoring them each nesting season.  Maureen Merrill, a second Rutgers Environmental Steward created recycling signage for the Park Commission and conducted a recycling audit at the 4H Fair.  Individual volunteers from the area high schools including Ridge High School, Oak Knoll, Rutgers Preparatory School, and Watchung Hills Regional High School assisted year round at the EEC with park maintenance and beautification, Naturalists Programs, and Special Events.

For information on volunteer opportunities at the EEC for individuals, groups, or companies, please contact Gretchen Rotondo, at 908-722-1200, ext. 5323 or NJ Relay at 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment. For volunteer opportunities outside of the EEC contact the Park Rangers at 908-722-1200 ext. 5122.

Open Space Update

 In 1989, Somerset County voters approved a dedicated Open Space Trust Fund that allowed the Somerset County Park Commission and the Freeholders to initiate an aggressive plan to keep the county green through the acquisition of open space and farmland. A second public referendum in 1997 extended the reach of the Trust fund to include farmland, greenways, and the acquisition and restoration of historic sites.

The 1994 Somerset County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan served as the foundation for the preservation of 10,500 acres with a long-term goal of doubling that amount. The 2000 Master Plan Update set a new goal of 20,500 acres involving five initiatives: expansion of existing county parks; greenways along the County's major rivers and Second Watchung ridgeline; the Sourland Mountain; the Millstone River Valley; and new County parks in northern and southern Somerset County.

This open space acquisition challenge is the result of pressures exerted by developers’ continuing mission to acquire buildable land, a situation that has fostered a land race as the County attempts to preserve and developers attempt to build.

The Somerset County park system currently consists of 24 park areas totaling 14,757 acres. There are six General Use parks offering active and passive recreation facilities; five golf courses; three Special Use parks; one Developed Natural Area park which features an environmental education center; and ten Undeveloped Natural Areas. In 2019 the County acquired 57 acres and anticipates another 25 acres before the end of the year.

In progress is the Somerset County Preservation Plan that will provide land use, funding, and partnership strategies for preservation in Somerset County. This effort will advance the implementation of the Somerset County Investment Framework and the County’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy that were adopted as part of the County Master Plan in April of 2014.

A map, titled Somerset County Parks Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan, available at www.somersetcountyparks.org, shows existing public parks and open space and private land currently in outdoor recreation use or permanently preserved for open space.

Individuals or companies interested in selling or donating property to the County for open space purposes may contact the Somerset County Park Commission at (908) 722-1200 or the Somerset County Park Planner at (908) 231-7509 for more information.

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Thank You Volunteers

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

Volunteer Opportunties

The Somerset County Park Commission provides a wealth of active and passive recreation opportunities for the residents of Somerset County and beyond. The well-trained, experienced Park Commission staff provides a maximum level of customer service throughout the entire park system.

Supporting the Commission’s year-round and seasonal employees is an army of volunteers whose efforts provide much needed support to ensure that our parks and recreation programs fully meet the expectations of millions of annual visitors.

The Park Commission welcomes volunteer community service from individuals who seek the satisfaction and enjoyment gained through active participation. For those who enjoy the great outdoors, volunteer opportunities exist as maintenance assistants; garden guides and horticultural assistants; leaders and side walkers in the therapeutic horseback riding program; horse groomers, equestrian trail guides, and stable workers; members of the Volunteer Park Patrol working closely with the Park Rangers; and support for special events including the July 4^th Fireworks, the 1770s Festival, and the free summer concert series

Group and corporate volunteer opportunities exist for projects at various locations throughout the park system. These include conservation efforts, land management projects, park beautification, and assistance at major events. The support of corporate and community groups enables necessary improvements to our parks while fulfilling the mission and goals of many community-minded organizations.

For information on Somerset County Park Commission volunteer opportunities, contact Nancy Meola, Volunteer Coordinator, at 908-722-1200, ext. 5528 (NJ Relay 711 for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment) or at nmeola@scparks.org.