Great Escape

Swim, Tennis Lessons Offered This Summer

They are being offered at county locations.

Sometimes there's just not enough days in the week, but every Wednesday we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself. And with summer on its way, there is no better time to get some lessons on great summer activities offered through the Somerset County Park Commission. First, the Warrenbrook Pool, on Warrenville Road in Warren, is hosting lessons at the only public outdoor swimming facility the county owns. The pool will open for the season June 28 at 12 p.m., and will remain open seven days a week through Sept. 3. The county is offering a variety of swimming lessons for all abilities, including Toddlers, Beginner I, Beginner II, Advanced Beginner and Intermediate. All …

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Hear Early Morning Bird Songs, Relax at Dusk at Buck Garden

Hours extended through summer at Somerset County Park Commission's Buck Gardens.

Starting this month, the Somerset County Park Commission is extending hours for garden admission at the Leonard J. Buck Garden off Layton Road in Far Hills to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through the summer. The county park and rock garden, located at 11 Layton Road in Far Hills not far from the crowded Hills section of Bernards Township and a short distance from the commercial centers of Bedminster and Far Hills along Route 202, provides a unique setting of woods, stream and rock outcroppings. Garden visitors will have more time to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days to hear the chorus of early morning birds as they defend their territories, or make the most of taking photographs in the sun’s natural light. The garden also is a good …

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Green Knoll Golf Course Designated 'River-Friendly'

It is the third county location to receive that designation.

The Green Knoll Golf Course, on Garretson Road in Bridgewater, has recently been designated a River Friendly Facility by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority. The designation, according to a release from the Somerset County Park Commission, is based on operational and maintenance practices recommended by the NJWSA’s program. According to the release, the NJSWA worked with the park commission to develop goals in the areas of water quality management, water conservation techniques, wildlife and habitat enhancement and education and outreach. Through that work, the release said, the golf course has seen improved water quality and enhanced vegetated buffers along streams and ponds. The course has also established mow areas that can help to …

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Family Nature 'Wanderings' at EEC in April-May

One-hour wanderings on weekends at Somerset County Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge.

“One Hour Wanderings,” family nature walks led by a naturalist at the Somerset County Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge are scheduled for many Saturdays and Sundays in April and May. The free hour-long interpretive walks focus on a different theme each week, according to information from the Somerset County Parks Commission. Preregistration is not required, although the walk is not designed for organized groups.   Saturday walks from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. are scheduled for April 6, 13; and May 4 and 18.   Sunday walks from noon to 1 p.m. are scheduled for April 21; May 12 and 26.   The Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center, at 190 Lord Stirling Road, is located within 450 acres of the western portion …

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Volunteers Needed to Assist Developmentally Disabled Horse Riders

Program at Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge provides many advantages for riders, and satisfaction for volunteers.

An adaptive horseback riding program that is both enjoyable and beneficial for developmentally disabled children and adults is scheduled to begin next week at Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge, and the county still is looking for some volunteers to assist the riders. The Somerset County Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation Department and Lord Stirling Stable needs about a half-dozen additional volunteers to assist with the T.R.A.I.L.S (Therapeutic Recreation Adapted Instruction at Lord Stirling) program on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings beginning April 2 and 3, said Dina Trunzo, certified therapeutic recreation specialist and manager of therapeutic recreation for the Somerset County Park Commission. The "adapted horse riding" classes …

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Registration at Lord Stirling For Spring, Seasonal Riding Programs

Ten-week season begins on April 1 at Somerset County public riding stable.

Registration is underway for spring horseback riding classes and other seasonal programs at Lord Stirling Stable, a Somerset County facility at 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge. Lessons are offered to juniors (ages 9-17) and adults, and are offered at levels that accommodate first-time beginners through more advanced riders with jumping experience. All classes are one hour in length. The ten-week spring session begins the week of April 1. Class registrations already began last weekend, and are being accepted daily from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the stable office. Students who already have taken lessons at Lord Stirling may register for spring classes online at the Somerset County Parks Commission website. Online registrations will be …

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Park Commission Preparing for Eco-Rally

The effort is to save energy and reduce the carbon footprint.

The Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center is organizing its fifth annual Eco-Rally to continue efforts to save energy and reduce the carbon footprint. According to a release from the commission, between April 1 and April 15, those participating in the rally will begin keeping a daily log of everyday tasks they do that reduce energy and promote greener lifestyles. Such actions, the release said, could include turning off lights when leaving a room, walking instead of driving, using reusable bags when shopping, planting a native tree or carrying lunch in a reusable container. Those participating in the rally, the release said, are also being asked to create a display of images that represent their contributions to …

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County Still Accepting Christmas Trees for Recycling

Recycle your real tree rather than landfilling it, at one of two drop-off locations.

The Somerset County Park Commission is accepting natural Christmas trees for recycling through Thursday, Jan. 31, at locations in Bridgewater and Franklin Township. The collection began on Dec. 26.   Somerset County residents may bring their tree either to Colonial Park, Parking Lot F, 156 Mettlers Road in the Somerset section of Franklin Township or to North Branch Park, 355 Milltown Road in Bridgewater at the northern end of the parking lot near the lighted ball field. Rather than sending the trees to a landfill, the county will chip the recycled trees into wood chip mulch which will be used throughout the park system to mulch plantings. Some chips or mulch will be made available to the public at each of the drop-off sites at no cost. …

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After Sandy, Weekend Nature Walks Back at EEC in Basking Ridge

Hour-long 'wanderings' along trails are scheduled through January.

Naturalist-led Nature Walks, “One Hour Wanderings,”  at the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge are scheduled for various Saturdays and Sundays through January, with each of the free walks focusing on a different theme each week. No preregistration is required for the hour-long interpretive walks, which meet at the EEC, surrounded by 450 acres of the western portion of the Great Swamp Basin of the Passaic River. However, the walks are not designed for organized groups. The park, located at 190 Lord Stirling Road, had been closed following Hurricane Sandy, particularly while South Maple Avenue had been blocked by large trees, wires and damage to the road. Saturday walks from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. noware scheduled for Nov. 24; Dec…

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Need a Break? Some County Golf Courses Open

Park Commission says some facilities are open now.

As of 10 a.m. Friday, the majority of Somerset County Park Commission facilities remain closed. Open for use today are Neshanic Valley Golf Course, on South Branch Road in Neshanic Station and North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater and Natirar Park in Peapack-Gladstone. Re-opening decisions will be made on a day-to-day basis. Closed until further notice are general use parks Duke Island Park in Bridgewater and Colonial Park in Somerset. Residents are asked to not attempt to visit these parks as fall trees make the parks unsafe. Also closed until further notice is the Torpey Athletic Complex in Bridgewater and Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge. The Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge is expected to re-open on …

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