Somerset County Public Information Office, PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS

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Parks & Recreation Areas

Somerset County Park Commission

COUNTY PARKS

Colonial Park: Mettlers Road, Franklin Township
732-873-2459
www.somersetcountyparks.org
651-acre park. Picnic areas, softball, tennis center, putting course, paddle boats, gardens, and leash free dog area. Playground features barrier free equipment.
Duke Island Park: Old York Road, Bridgewater
908-722-1200
www.somersetcountyparks.org
339-acre park along the North Branch of the Raritan River. Picnic areas, prime fishing, softball, bandshell, walking trails, and visitor center. Playground features barrier free equipment.
Environmental Education Center: 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, Bernards Township
908-766-2489
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Home to Secrets of the Great Swamp exhibit hall and a host of classes, lectures, walks, and other environmental education programs. 430 acres bordering the Great Swamp and Passaic River feature 8.5 miles of walking trails with special boardwalk for individuals with disabilities. Year-round nature and discovery programs for children ages 3 and older families and adults; canoe and kayak trips; field trips; summer camps; teacher workshops; outreach to Somerset County schools; cross country skiing in winter.
Lord Stirling Stable: 256 South Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, Bernards Township
908-766-5955.
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Lord Stirling Stable offers English horseback riding, group lessons from beginner through jumping levels, and several special events year round for all ages. Horses may be rented and ridden on 14 miles of well groomed trails or in the large indoor or outdoor rings. Lead line is available by the half hour for children eight years old or younger who can sit and hold on by themselves. There are also Pony Parties and Introductory Rides.
Frank "Nap" Torpey Complex: Nimitz Street, Finderne Section of Bridgewater Township
908-722-1200
www.somersetcountyparks.org
New facility that houses one lighted baseball and one lighted softball field. Restroom and concession building will be available in 2006.
North Branch Park: 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater
908-722-1200
www.somersetcountyparks.org
185-acre park along the North Branch of the Raritan River is home to the Somerset County Park Commission administrative offices. Picnic areas, prime fishing, large fields provide space for soccer, softball, flying model aircraft, and launching model rockets. Playground features swings, slides, suspension bridge, bars and rings.
North Branch Greenway Park: Milltown Road., Bridgewater
908-722-1200
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Greenway Park is a nine acre tract located on Milltown Road in Bridgewater, housing a lighted in-line skating rink, a basketball court, and an open play field. Access to fishing locations on the North Branch of the Raritan River is provided.
Sourland Mountain Preserve: 908-722-1200
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Sourland Mountain Preserve is the largest facility in the county park system, encompassing 2,900 acres through Hillsborough and Montgomery Townships. The Preserve provides passive recreational opportunities in an undisturbed natural setting. Moderate and easy trails are available. The Preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Washington Valley Park: 908-722-1200
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Washington Valley Park consists of approximately 705 acres which lie along the First Watchung Ridge in Bridgewater Township. The park contains the former Bound Brook/Elizabethtown Reservoir which will become the focal point of the park along a network of trails. Each fall, the Hawk Watch several hundred hawkwatchers from all over the northeastern United States come to witness the thousands of hawks, falcons, and eagles flying overhead.

COUNTY GOLF COURSES

Green Knoll Golf Course: 587 Garretson Road, Bridgewater Township
908-722-1301
www.somersetcountyparks.org
This regulation, 18-hole, 6,443-yard course is a challenge to the experienced golfer, as well as the novice player. Green Knoll is known for its tight fairways and rolling contours. The facility also operates a lighted 9-hole par three Pitch and Putt Course. A golf shop and snack bar are available.
Neshanic Valley Golf Course: 2301 South Branch Road, Branchburg
908-369-8200
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Neshanic Valley Golf Course is the newest course in the county park system. It features a 27-hole Championship Course, the 9-hole Academy Course, the Learning Center, and the Callaway Golf Performance Center. The Championship course features five tees with 18-hole layouts ranging from 5,050 yards to 7,108 yards. The 9-hole, par 32, Academy Course, an Executive-style layout, plays from 1,420 yards to 2,019 yards, with three tees per hole. The Clubhouse has a fully stocked Pro Shop featuring brand name equipment and golf apparel. The Grille Room is available for sandwiches, snacks, and beverages.
Quail Brook Golf Course: 625 New Brunswick Road, Franklin Township
732-560-9199
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Selected one of the top public course in Central Jersey, this 18-hole, 6,611-yard course is heavily wooded and is known for its rolling front nine and tight, hilly back nine. A driving range is also located at the facility. A golf shop and snack bar are available.
Spooky Brook Golf Course: 582 Elizabeth Avenue, Franklin Township
908-754-8402
www.somersetcountyparks.org
This relatively flat, 6,634-yard, 18-hole course is known for its spacious greens, tees, and fairways. Easy to walk, it is a favorite of senior golfers. A driving range is also operated at the facility. A golf shop and snack bar are available.
Warrenbrook Golf Course: 500 Warrenville Road, Warren Township
908-754-8402
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Warrenbrook is a heavily wooded and extremely tight, 6,372-yard, 18-hole course. The contours provide plenty of uphill and downhill lies. Gas cars are recommended. A golf shop and snack bar are available.

RECREATION FACILITIES

Putting Course and Paddle Boats: Colonial Park, Franklin Township
732-873-8585
www.somersetcountyparks.org
The Putting Course is open April-October: Adults $6.50, children/seniors $5.00. The Paddle Boats are open Summer through Labor Day. A sports complex for all ages. Each of the 18 holes on this "golf course in miniature" offers a challenge to players of any age. The putting course is fully accessible to players with physical disabilities. On nearby Powder Mill Pond, paddleboats are available for rent. For persons with limited mobility, there is a boat with hand operated pedals.
Colonial Park & Green Knoll Tennis Centers: Green Knoll Tennis Center, Garretson Rd., Bridgewater
908-722-1303
Colonial Park Tennis Center, Franklin Township: 732-873-8716
www.somersetcountyparks.org
April-Oct.: daily 8am-9pm. Weekdays until 5pm, $4; evenings, weekends & holidays $5. The tennis facilities offer walk-on and reserve play, multi-ability instruction, and tournaments. Colonial Park is fully accessible for individuals with physical disabilities and is now free for walk-on play. Lessons for adults and children of all abilities offered at Green Knoll Tennis Center and Colonial Park Tennis Center.
Warrenbrook Pool: Warrenville Road, Warren
908-754-8404
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Warrenbrook Pool, located in Warren Township, is an outdoor swimming facility offering patrons a choice of seasonal passes or daily admissions. Swim instruction is offered from toddler level classes through diving instruction. A snack bar, offering sandwiches, drinks, snacks, and ice cream is available.
Therapeutic Recreation: 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater
908-526-5650
www.somersetcountyparks.org
This cooperative effort with Somerset County municipalities provides year-round recreational opportunities to individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. Included are seasonal programs and Camp Okee Sunokee, a summer day camp for children with learning disabilities or Asperger's Syndrome.
Picnic, Athletic Field and Special Use Permits: 908-722-1200 ext. 225
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Somerset County Park Commission offers permits for rental of county facilities for a variety of outdoor uses, including picnics, athletic events, scout events, dog shows, horse shows, bandshell use, overnight group camping, and other special events. Somerset County Park Commission also rents the Showmobile, a portable stage complete with a sound system, to groups producing concerts, parades, and community day events.
Junior Ranger Program: Colonial Park, Franklin Township
Duke Island Park, Old York Road, Bridgewater
908-369-1458
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Junior Ranger activity book available for ages 6-12 to learn about the environment and its inhabitants. After completion, a Park Ranger will review work and present an official Junior Ranger badge.
Volunteer Opportunities: 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater
908-722-1200
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Diverse opportunities for volunteers include work on wildlife and resource conservation projects; gardens, grounds, facilities management; instruction, and special events.

GARDENS

Leonard J. Buck Garden

11 Layton Road, Far Hills
908-234-2677
www.somersetcountyparks.org
Located in Far Hills, this 33 acre naturalistic garden features planted rock outcroppings, woodland trails lined with wildflowers, stream and lakeside plantings, as well as displays of azaleas, ferns, heaths and heathers. The garden is at peak bloom in spring, and offers a spectacular display of fall foliage. A wide variety of naturalistic plantings may be enjoyed year-round.

Colonial Park Gardens

Mettlers Road, Franklin Township
732-873-2459
www.somersetcountyparks.org
A wide variety of horticultural displays are found in Colonial Park, Franklin Township. The Arboretum contains labeled specimens of flowering trees, evergreens, shade trees, and flowering shrubs that grow well in central New Jersey. The arboretum serves as a valuable resource for homeowners, gardeners, and landscape professionals.

The Perennial Garden, located near parking lot F, provides year-round interest for the enjoyment of gardeners and park visitors alike. A gazebo in the center of the garden is surrounded by beds displaying a selection of flowering bulbs, perennials, annuals, and flowering trees and shrubs.

The Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden offers a formal display of more than 3,000 roses. From late spring into autumn, this accredited All-America Rose Selections garden features labeled specimens of a wide variety of roses. Located behind the Rose Garden is a Fragrance and Sensory Garden. This circular garden with raised beds is accessible for persons with disabilities so that all visitors can enjoy the flowers, shrubs, herbs, and scented plants that grow there.

Wedding photographs are allowed by permit only. Please contact Buck Garden at 908-234-2677 or the Colonial Park Horticulture Department office at 732-873-2459.

Other Facilities

Commerce Bank Ballpark.: 1 Patriots Park, Bridgewater. Home of the Somerset Patriots, a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
908-252-0700
www.somersetpatriots.com
Cross Estate and Gardens.: Old Jockey Hollow Rd., Bernardsville. Formal walled garden, 200-foot wisteria-covered pergola, mountain laurel allee and North American perennials garden. Begun in 1930 by Mrs. W. Redmond Cross. Designed by local landscape architect Clarence Fowler. Owned by the National Park Service and part of the Morristown National Historic Park. Call for hours and additional information.
973-539-2016 x210
Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park.: The D&R Canal traverses 22 miles of Somerset County, from Landing Lane in the eastern section of Franklin Township through South Bound Brook to Kingston in the southern section of Franklin. The D&R Canal State Park offers opportunities for canoeing, fishing, biking, hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching and cross-country skiing. Canoe liveries are available in Griggstown and Princeton Township. The adjacent Six Mile Run Reservoir Site provides over 6 miles of hiking and riding paths. Hours: Dawn to dusk, all year. D&R Canal State Park Headquarters: 145 Mapleton Road, Kingston, NJ 08528. 609-924-5705
www.dandrcanal.com
Duke Farms.: 80 Route 206 South, enter via Dukes Parkway East, Hillsborough. Bus and bicycle tours of the property mid-April to mid-November, Friday through Sunday. A variety of nature and horticulture programs are offered year round, advance registration is required. A 1.25-mile self-guided nature walk is free and open year �round, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For a complete schedule and registration information, visit the Web site or call.
908-722-3700
www.dukefarms.org
Fairview Farms.: 2121 Larger Cross Rd., Bedminster. 170-acre wildlife area. Part of the Upper Raritan Watershed Organization. Deer, birds, butterfly garden, 4 miles of trails. Open year-round. Hours: Dawn to dusk.
908-234-1852
Hutcheson Forest.: Also known as Mettler's Woods. Amwell Road, Franklin Twp. Virgin woodland, operated by Rutgers University as a resource forest for ecological study. Guided tours only. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., all year.
732-932-2075
N.J. Audubon Society Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary.: 11 Hardscrabble Rd., Bernardsville. 265-acre sanctuary. Nature trails, tours, programs, nature store. Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. Closed Mon. & holidays.
908-766-5787
U.S. Equestrian Team Headquarters.: Hamilton Farms, Pottersville Rd., Gladstone. Periodic equestrian events. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
908-234-1251
www.uset.com
Washington Rock State Park.: Washington Ave., Green Brook. Was a lookout spot for George Washington. Picnic area. Hours: 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. all year.
201-915-3401

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