Somerset County Park Commission

Group Volunteer Projects
The Somerset County Park Commission offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Some of the volunteer opportunities however, are projects which can not be achieved without the concerted efforts a group can provide. These include conservation efforts, land management projects, park beautification, and assistance at special events. Group volunteer efforts benefit the Park Commission, and just as importantly, benefit the corporate group. There is a comradery experienced when viewing the efforts of a successful day's work, and a heightened sense of teamwork, knowing that the project was fulfilled due to the achievements of you and your co-workers. Listed are 10 projects which can only be achieved by the continued time and talent offered by the local businesses and corporate communities. We invite you to examine them, and thank in advance, the individuals committed to offering their time and expertise to enhance the quality of life of Somerset County.
The Turkey Trot Lace up your sneakers to make things run (pardon the pun) more smoothly on the day of this annual 5K and 1-mile fun run, held in Colonial Park in Franklin Township. Volunteers can assist with runner registration, water stops, and with race-route marshalling. Join us for some fun and fitness in the park. 10 to 20 sure-footed adults needed Morning of a Saturday in November Staff Contact: Karren Newman 908 722-1200 ext. 226 The Horsey Set The benefits are great for both the volunteer and participant in the T.R.A.I.L.S. therapeutic horseback riding program. Help guide teens and adults with developmental disabilities through the paces in both beginner and advanced classes. Volunteers will function as lead and sidewalkers, as well as assistants to riders when mounting and dismounting a horse. Equestrian experience is not necessary. 15 - 20 pace setting adults needed Two hours on Tuesday evenings for ten weeks Fall and spring seasons Staff Contact: Lee Shahay 908 722-1200 ext. 233 Come Horse Around with Us Put on your faded blue jeans, roll up your sleeves, and help us give a face lift to the many buildings, fences, and rails at Lord Stirling Stable. Volunteers can choose from a wide variety of painting jobs. With lessons, clinics, horse shows, and other special events occurring year round, improvements will always be noticed and appreciated! 10 - 20 adult painters needed Spring or fall Staff Contact: Nancy Williams 908 766-5955 ext. 23 Out in Green Pastures Our equestrian trails have a lot of hooves traverse them during the course of a year. Therefore, they may need a little more TLC than our maintenance staff can provide. Trimming bushes and branches, removing rocks and stones from the pastures and trails, repainting the identification numbers on remounting blocks, and cleaning branches and logs out of the streams are some of the tasks that may be needed to keep them “the Cadillac of horse trails”. Bring your clippers and enjoy the great outdoors! 10 - 20 adult or teenage children Spring, summer or fall Staff Contact: Nancy Williams 908 766-5955 ext. 23 Bluebirds of Happiness The eastern bluebird, a threatened species in New Jersey, can be seen in any of our parks year round. The parks provide the proper habitat, giving park visitors a chance to view the bluebird in its natural setting. Volunteers can work together to keep the bluebirds in the parks by building and installing bluebird boxes at both Washington Valley Park and Sourlands Mountain Preserve. Help the eastern bluebird's chances of being taken off the state's threatened list! 5 to 10 nestbuilders needed; adults and children ages ten or older Late winter Staff Contact: Dave Dendler 908 369-1458 ext. 422 The 3 B's Boardwalk, bridges, and benches are needed in natural areas in various Somerset County Parks. We will provide the tools and supervision, while you provide the labor and materials. These projects may be as small or as large as you would like. Schedule a meeting with us to discuss the possibilities! 10 to 25 adult nature lovers needed Spring and summer; daily 9am - 3pm Staff Contact: Cathy Schrein 908 766-2489 ext. 324 Happy Trails Thousands of people enjoy the many trails located within the park system's 10,000 acres. Since our trails are "multi-use", hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders explore them together, especially in the Sourland Mountain Preserve (Hillsborough and Montgomery) and Washington Valley Park (Bridgewater). Increased usage has caused the soil on trails to be compacted, exposing tree roots and increasing trail erosion. To help reduce these concerns, trails may need to be closed, rerouted, or erosion controlled. Bridges and boardwalks may also need to be built. Volunteers are needed to ensure the beauty of one of New Jersey's great trail systems. 10 to 30 budding conservationists needed; adults and teenage children Spring, summer, and fall Staff Contact: Dave Dendler 908 369-1458 ext. 422 Be Kind to Your Web-footed Friends How do you save a river? Deposit your time and energy on its banks! Erosion control and cleanup projects along the mile-and-a-half of the upper Passaic River bordering Lord Stirling Park are good springtime projects. Work groups will be divided into canoe-based clearing teams and land-based support squadrons. Pull up your shirt sleeves for this wet and muddy task and join us where only webbed feet have gone before. We provide the canoes, tools, equipment, and safety instruction. 10 to 25 adult nature lovers needed Spring and summer; daily 9am - 3pm Staff Contact: Monica Lemon 908 766-2489 ext. 328 The Road Less Traveled From the radiant colors in the fall and the snow capped branches in winter, to spring's first lady slipper and summer's chorus of night sounds, the change in the seasons at Lord Stirling Park brings people from around the state and beyond to witness the magic of nature's transformations. While many come to hike the 450 acre preserve, so do enthusiasts of another sort. Volunteers work side by side with a Park Commission Naturalist to manicure overgrown trails, repair damaged boardwalk, and help to keep the trail system safe and pleasant for each park visitor. 10 to 25 adult nature lovers needed Spring and summer; daily 9am - 3pm Staff Contact: Cathy Schrein 908 766-2489 ext. 324 Wildlife and Native Gardens for the New Millennium The Environmental Education Center special use gardens and building grounds are being overhauled. We are gradually converting high maintenance annual and non- native plant areas to low maintenance, wildlife attractive, native species gardens. Join us to chop, weed, plant, build, and mulch the grounds. Bring gloves, hand tools, and energy! 5 to 20 adult greenthumbs needed Fall and spring; daily 9am - 3pm Staff Contact: Jennifer Deremer 908 766-2489 ext. 322
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