Community Corner
Gov. Murphy Closes All Somerset County Parks Amid Coronavirus
Here is a list of all Somerset County parks that are closed following Murphy's orders on Tuesday due to the new coronavirus concerns.
SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Many residents, too many, have been flocking to the parks amid the coronavirus quarantine. As a result Gov. Phil Murphy announced that all state and county parks will close.
In Somerset County parks will close as of 8 p.m. and include:
- Colonial Park in Franklin Township
- Duke Island Park in Bridgewater
- East County Park in Warren
- Environmental Education Center at Lord Stirling Park in Bernards Township
- Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills
- Little Brook Sanctuary in Bernardsville
- Natirar in Peapack/Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster
- North Branch Park in Bridgewater
- Raritan River Greenway Trail
- Skillman Park in Montgomery
- Sourland Mountain Preserve in Hillsborough and Montgomery
- South Branch Greenway Trail
- Torpey Athletic Complex in Bridgewater
- Washington Rock Park in Green Brook
- Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater
"We have seen far too many instances where people are gathering in groups in our parks erroneously thinking since they are outside ans social distancing doesn't matter. Nothing could be further from the truth," Murphy said during his press conference Tuesday. (you can watch it here).
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This order follows Murphy's announcement that New Jersey once again had its deadliest day during the coronavirus outbreak: 3,361 new cases and 232 more deaths.
Find out what's happening in Basking Ridgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The total number of cases has risen to 44,416, and 1,232 people have died. The state did not provide a county-by-county breakdown of cases on Tuesday, but Patch has kept track of the overall numbers. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know
Murphy said the state will allow each municipality to decide whether to close local town-run parks. He suggested that people can go to those parks for recreation, or "take a walk or bike ride in your neighborhood."
As of Tuesday Somerset County has 1,033 positive COVID-19 cases and 40 deaths.
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