Somerset County Park Commission ANNUAL REPORT 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS Somerset County Park Commission . 1 Parks . 2 Programs. 4 People . 6 Information and Visitor Services . 8 Planning and Land Acquisition . 9 Awards and Honors . 10 Non-Profi t Organizations and Partnerships . 11 Corporate and Individual Partners . 12 Volunteers . 13 Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019 . 14 Statement of Revenues - Statutory Basis and Statement of Operations as of December 31, 2019 . 15 People and Places . 16 2019 SOMERSET COUNTY PARK COMMISSION Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders Brian Levine, Director Pat Walsh, Deputy Director Brian Gallagher Shanel Robinson Sara Sooy Somerset County Park Commission Mark Caliguire, President Bill Crosby, Vice President Helen Haines D.J. Hunsinger Jim Leonard Doug Ludwig Kevin McCallen Dot Paluck Scott Ross Park Commission Staff Geoffrey D. Soriano, Secretary-Director Cynthia A. Sullivan, CPRP, Assistant Director Pierce Frauenheim, Deputy Director/Park Operations Division Robert G. Ransone, Deputy Director/Golf Division Dina M. Trunzo, CTRS, Administrator of Leisure and Community Services Donna Umgelter, Administrator of Human Resources Darrell Marcinek, CGCS, Director of Golf Maintenance Dina Fornataro-Healey, CPRP, CPO, Manager of Recreation and Community Outreach Marge Margentino, Stable Manager Carrie Springer, Manager of Environmental Science James Avens, Manager of Horticulture Mike Ballow, Manager of Fleet Operations Jason Bittner, Manager of Park Maintenance Mike Adams, Manager of Special Projects Cory Ivanko, Manager of Information Technology Ken Fivek, Supervisor of Golf Operations The Somerset County Park Commission is committed to excellence in promoting stewardship of land and resources, providing outstanding recreation opportunities and leisure services, and fostering an environment which is service-oriented and responsive to public needs. The Somerset County Park Commission does not discriminate in any manner against any person by reason of race, color, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious or political affi liation. Annual Report | 1 PARKS Arnold Palmer once saidsaid that “Gol“Golff iiss deceptiveldeceptivelyy simple and endlesslendlesslyy complicated; it ssatisfiatisfi es tthehe ssouloul anandd frfrustratesustrates tthehe iintellect.ntellect. It is witwithouthout a ddoubtoubt tthehe ggreatestreatest ggameame ever invented”. With 166,047 rounds ooff ggolfolf plaplayedyed on the Park Commission’s fi ve ggolfolf courses, the sentiment appears ttoo be shared bbyy manmany.y. GolGolff stastaffff provided customers with outstandinoutstandingg plplayingaying conditions and a wide varietvarietyy ooff events anandd tournaments tthathat tthehe pupublicblic enenjoyedjoyed tthroughouthroughout tthehe yyear.ear. Two inindoordoor simusimulators,lators, llocatedocated at tthehe LearninLearningg Center, provided an option for golfers on rainy days and during the winter months. Several capital improvement projects occurred at the golf courses in 2019. The Billy Bunker project began on the Meadow Nine at Neshanic Valley. Also at Neshanic Valley, the driveway, staging area, and portions of the cart paths were paved. The back nine cart paths at Quail Brook Golf Course were paved as well. Replacement of three bridges at Green Knoll was underway. All these projects will improve customer experiences. Leonard J. Buck Garden and Colonial Park Gardens continue to be destinations for those who treasure public gardens, nature, fl owers, wildlife, and tranquility. Slightly more than 11,000 visitors enjoyed Buck Garden’s magnifi cent rock garden fl ower During the summer, Buck Garden staff raised 60 monarchs collections and winding trails, and almost 20,000 visitors from caterpillar to butterfl y and created an educational viewing enjoyed Colonial Park Gardens’ roses, perennials, herbs, and station for the public inside the visitor’s center. Children who the distinguished arboretum. were visiting the garden were given the opportunity to release In the summer of 2019, the New Jersey State Tree Climbing many of the adult monarchs. In the fall, Horticulture staff Competition was held at the Colonial Park Arboretum by facilitated an Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven) tree identifi cation and the NJ Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture eradication project to deter the spread of Spotted Lantern Fly (NJAISA.) The event included competitors from throughout infestations in Colonial Park, Duke Island Park, Lord Stirling the state and the divisional competition winners represented Park, Natirar Park, Torpey Athletic Complex, and Skillman Park. the New Jersey Arborists at The International Tree Climbing In 2019, 3,191 permits were issued for family picnics, dog Competition. Tree climbing competitions simulate working and horse shows, scout camping, soccer, softball, football, conditions of arborists in the fi eld. Each event tests a lacrosse, cross country track, cricket, 5K runs, and special competitor’s ability to professionally and safely maneuver in a events. Of these, Colonial Park, Duke Island Park, and North tree while performing work-related tree-care tasks. Branch Park are venues to form lifetime memories with 445 In the fall, the Colonial Park Perennial Garden underwent picnic permits issued to families and private organizations, a major reconstruction. In preparation, the garden staff totaling a visitation of 21,715. transplanted and potted many perennials in order to include At a ribbon cutting ceremony in the fall of 2019, the Park them into the new design and to plant them at other park Commission and the Somerset County Park Foundation jointly locations. A Wildfl ower Meadow expansion project was dedicated a new playground at Duke Island Park to Raymond completed at Natirar Park. The popular meadow was re-seeded Willis Brown, late son of retired Park Commission Director with native “pollinator friendly” perennials and grasses and Ray Brown and Roseann Brown. The vibrant colors and provided a colorful, extended season of bloom from summer imaginative play equipment are designed to attract children to fall. ages 2 to 5 years of age and 5 to 12 years. 2 | Somerset County Park Commission Within the park, wildlife abounds, but is rarely seen by human eyes. To better document the park’s fauna, staff purchased two high defi nition trail cameras to video animal activity in remote locations of the park. The recorded video footage was used to educate the public through social media posts. Sixteen wood duck nesting boxes were built, installed, and monitored throughout the year and showed success of the species within the park. Bluebird nesting boxes were also cleaned, mapped, and monitored. More than 30,000 visitors took advantage of recreational riding and public events at the Lord Stirling Stable, which Swimmers and sunbathers totaled 17,823 at Warrenbrook Pool. Individual and league play court time at Green Knoll and Colonial Park Tennis Centers totaled 20,000 visitations. Baseball, softball, lacrosse, and football teams and leagues at the Torpey Athletic Complex totaled 72,000 players. The softball fi elds at North Branch Park, Duke Island Park, and Quail Brook Park hosted 17,750 people. Mountain View Park baseball fi elds hosted 71,500 people. The Howe Athletic Complex consists of a cricket fi eld and four soccer fi elds. These fi elds hosted 19,300 people. Cross Country track was also popular in the fall, with 7,500 high school students running at Natirar Park. In Colonial Park, 7,323 rounds of miniature golf were played at the putting course, and the paddleboats were rented 4,000 times. The four-acre leash-free dog area continued to be quite popular with 17,000 visitations. The North Branch Flying Field buzzed with model airplane enthusiasts. More than 3,200 celebrated 50 years of service to the public in 2019. Residents people watched the hawks soar in Washington Valley Park, and from 17 Somerset County municipalities enjoyed programs almost 26,000 visitors hiked and mountain biked there. 32,000 and events at the Stable throughout the year. Family members people did the same in the Sourland Mountain Preserve. from 2,600 households state-wide rode in lesson sessions, took a trail ride or participated in an The Environmental Education Center was visited by 30,000 educational program. 32 birthdays people in 2019. More than 7,000 people participated in were celebrated with pony parties, instructional programs led by park Naturalists, including bringing almost 1,000 guests to the school programs, public programs, scout groups, birthday facility, while another 1,400 children parties, library programs, and senior center programs. In were introduced to horses through addition, nearly 2,000 youth ages 4-16 experienced summer the daily lead line program, free pony camp programs offered at the EEC. Special events included rides at special events, and other pony Children’s Art Show, Maple Sugaring, Swamp Search, County programming. Introductory Rides were Caper, 1770s Festival, By the Light of the Moon, and Festival also held to introduce people to the of Trees. The Great Swamp Experience exhibit attracted more opportunities available at Lord Stirling Stable. than 5,000 visitors. In an effort to eliminate invasive plant species, rejuvenate soil, and allow renewed growth of native plants, two prescribed burns were conducted in 20 acres in Lord Stirling Park (EEC) under close control of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Annual Report | 3 PROGRAMS TheThe freefree summersummer concert sserieseries in Duke the