Community Corner

Warrenbrook Golf Course Takes Action To Become River Friendly

Posted by Rich Reitman 

Warrenbrook Golf Course, one of 5 Somerset County Park Commission Championship Golf Courses, has partnered with the NJ Water Supply Authority to participate in its River-Friendly Golf Course Program to help protect local waterways. 

Through the River-Friendly program, participating golf course staffs work to attain specific goals and requirements for certification in the areas of Water Quality Management, Water Conservation Techniques, Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement, and Education and Outreach. All five of the Park Commission's golf courses are currently participating in the River-Friendly program.  

"The actions taken to become River Friendly certified are important steps to protecting the quantity and quality of drinking water supplies and enhancing  wildlife habitat,” explained Superintendent of Warrenbrook, Tammy Stephens.    “This certification further solidifies the Park Commission's commitment to protecting the environment while providing the best conditions possible for the golfers." 

She continued, “Being 'River-Friendly' helps to protect natural resources while preserving and restoring New Jersey's native landscape.”  At Warrenbrook, the initiative has already more than doubled the acreage of ‘reduced mow’ zones that require less mowing and reduced chemical and maintenance needs. Staff also annually tracks and monitors chemical and fertilizer usage to assist staff in understanding the specific needs of the course.  

Additional actions include the installation of blue bird and bat boxes throughout the property to increase native wildlife and the addition of educational signage to help highlight on the importance of natural areas.  

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority operates the state-owned Spruce Run, Round Valley, and Manasquan Reservoirs and the Delaware & Raritan Canal, which provide drinking water for approximately 1.5 million New Jersey residents. The Authority's Watershed Protection Programs Division administers the River-Friendly Programs to protect the quality of the regions' drinking water supply.  For more information on River-Friendly Programs and other projects in the Raritan River Basin, visitwww.raritanbasin.org/riverfriendly.html<http://www.raritanbasin.org/riverfriendly.html>.

Information on Somerset County Park Commission activities and programs may be found at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-7220-1200.


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