SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION PARKS

Colonial Park • Franklin Township
651-acre park. Picnic areas, softball, tennis center, putting course, paddle boats, gardens, a playground and leash-free dog area.

Duke Island Park • Bridgewater
339-acre park along the North Branch of the Raritan River. Picnic areas, prime fishing, softball, bandshell, walking trails, a playground and visitor center.

East County Athletic Facility • Warren Township
East County Athletic Facility is a synthetic turf athletic field. The new facility accommodates both soccer and football.

Environmental Education Center • Bernards Township
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.

Lord Stirling Stable • Bernards Township
Lord Stirling Stable, featuring 14 miles of well-groomed trails and large indoor and outdoor rings, offers English horseback riding, group lessons and several special events year-round.

Natirar • Peapack-Gladstone
411-acre property that features a two-mile loop trail that passes along the North Branch of the Raritan River. The Raritan River offers fishing locations.

North Branch Park • Bridgewater
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, a playground, large fields provide space for soccer, softball, flying model aircraft and launching model rockets.

North Branch Greenway Park • Bridgewater
Nine-acre tract 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 • Hillsborough and Montgomery
The largest facility in the county park system, encompassing 3,200 acres through Hillsborough and Montgomery Townships. The Preserve provides passive recreational opportunities in an undisturbed natural setting.

Frank “Nap” Torpey Complex • Bridgewater Township
New facility that houses one lighted baseball and one lighted softball field. Future planned development includes a multi-use turf field and a concession hut and restrooms.

Washington Valley Park • Bridgewater Township
705 acre park, which lies along the First Watchung Ridge. 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 brings in several hundred hawkwatchers from all over the northeastern U.S.

SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION RECREATION FACILITIES

Putting Course and Paddle Boats • Franklin Township
The 18-hole "golf course in miniature" offers a challenge to players of any age. On nearby Powder Mill Pond, paddleboats are available for rent. Putting Course open April-October and Paddle Boats open summer-Labor Day.

Colonial Park & Green Knoll Tennis Centers • Bridgewater

Colonial Park Tennis Center • Franklin Township The tennis facilities offer walk-on and reserve play, multi-ability instruction and tournaments. Lessons for adults and children of all abilities offered. Open April-October.

Warrenbrook Pool • Warren Township
Warrenbrook Pool is an outdoor swimming facility. Swim instruction is offered from toddler level classes through intermediate instruction. A snack bar is available.

Therapeutic Recreation • Bridgewater
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 and Aspergers.

Picnic, Athletic Field, and Special Use Permits
Permits available for rental of county facilities for a variety of outdoor uses. Somerset County Park Commission also rents the Showmobile, a portable stage complete with a sound system.

JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM Colonial Park • Franklin Township Duke Island Park • Old York Road • Bridgewater
Junior Ranger activity book available for ages 6-12 to learn about the environment and its inhabitants.

Volunteer Opportunities • All Parkland Areas
Diverse opportunities for volunteers include work on wildlife and resource conservation projects; gardens, grounds, facilities management; instruction; and special events.