Parl Commission Announces Additional Closures-Parks & Trails Open

Over the course of the last ten days, The Somerset County Park Commission has taken proactive measures, suspended numerous programs and activities, and closed a variety of public facilities in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and Governor Murphy’s most recent Executive Orders. This past Saturday night, all Commission golf courses were closed to the public.

Today, the Park Commission announces that the Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills and the Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden at Colonial Park in Somerset have been closed to the public until further notice. In addition, this Saturday’s opening of the Green Knoll Tennis Center has been postponed indefinitely, and all Tennis Courts at Colonial Park in Somerset have been closed to the public until further notice.

The Commission does not take these public facility closures lightly, and it does so in an effort to facilitate compliance with Governor Murphy’s directive for residents to follow best social distancing practices while engaging in outdoor activities.

All of the Commission’s general use parks (Natirar in Far Hills and Peapack-Gladstone, North Branch and Duke Island in Bridgewater, East County in Warren, Colonial in Somerset, Skillman in Montgomery) are open. In addition, the trail systems located in Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater, the Environmental Education Center at Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge, and the Sourland Mountain Preserve in Hillsborough and Montgomery are open.

The Park Commission reminds of the relevant requirement contained in Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 107 which provides:

All New Jersey residents shall remain home or at their place of residence unless they are … 6) walking, running, operating a wheelchair, or engaging in outdoor activities with immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners while following best social distancing practices with other individuals, including staying six feet apart.

The Park Commission implores its park patrons to heed the Governor’s order while enjoying county parks so as to ensure that these facilities will remain open for all to enjoy in seeking relief from the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Updates on cancellations and openings may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-722-1200.