8B — August 14 - 27, 2015 — New Jersey — M id A tlantic
Real Estate Journal
www.marejournal.com
C entral N ew J ersey Warrenbrook Golf Course becomes fifth course to achieve both designations Golf courses in Somerset County receive River- Friendly/Groundwater Guardian designation S OMERSET COUNTY, NJ — At a gathering at WarrenbrookGolf Course
access the tools and receive the guidance needed to make the golf courses more protec- tive of water resources while maintaining a high standard of play. Through the program, golf course staff have worked to attain specific goals and requirements in the areas of Water Quality Management, Water Conservation Tech- niques, Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement, and Education and Outreach. The Somerset County Riv- er-Friendly courses joining Warrenbrook are Green Knoll in Bridgewater, Neshanic Val-
ley in Neshanic Station, and Spooky Brook and Quail Brook in Somerset. All five golf cours- es increased the acreage of ‘re- duced mow’ zones that require less maintenance and reduced chemical application. In addi- tion, staff tracks and monitors chemical and fertilizer usage to assist in understanding the specific needs of the course. Additional actions include the installation of blue bird and bat boxes throughout the proper- ties to increase native wildlife and the addition of educational signage to help highlight the importance of natural areas. In addition, all five courses have been named “Ground- water Guardian Green Sites” by the Groundwater Founda- tion, honoring the facilities’ groundwater and environmen- tal stewardship. The program recognizes green spaces for implementing groundwater and surface water-friendly practices. Qualification in- cludes selection of appropriate plantings, tracking irrigation water use, maintaining a no-application zone around surface water and active wells, and applying fertilizer based on nutrient needs. “Earning these two very spe- cial designations is a credit to the staff at each of the county courses and the leadership of the Park Commissioners,” said Darrell Marcinek, direc- tor of golf maintenance for the Park Commission. “We understand our responsibil- ity to the environment and our responsibility to provide championship golf facilities. We are extremely proud that we have been recognized for accomplishing both.” Kathy Hale, principal Wa- tershed Protection Specialist, said “NJWSA congratulates Warrenbrook Golf Course on becoming the fifth Somerset County golf course to receive River-Friendly certification. The stewardship actions taken by Tammy Stephens and her staff reflect their commitment to protection of drinking water in the Raritan Basin.” The New Jersey Water Supply Authority operates the state-owned Spruce Run, Round Valley, andManasquan Reservoirs and the Delaware & Raritan Canal. The Authority's Watershed Protection Pro- grams Division administers the River-Friendly Programs to protect the quality of the re- gions' drinking water supply. n
on Warrenville Rd. in Warren Township, Somerset County Freeholders, Park Commis- sioners, representatives from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA), and Park Commission staff celebrated as Warrenbrook became the fifth and final golf course to be rec- ognized as both River-Friendly and a Groundwater Guardian. Participating in the NJWSA River-Friendly program for golf courses has allowed the Park Commission staff to
Darrell Marcinek, director of golf maintenance for the Park Commission and Tammy Stephens, Warrenbrook Golf Course superintendent cele- brate NJWSA River-Friendly and Groundwater Guardian designation.
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