Somerset County Park Commission Receives $10,000 Environmental Grant for Duke Island Park

BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission recently received a $10,000 New Jersey American Water Environmental Grant to restore and conserve the land near the Raritan River at Duke Island Park. The grant money will support a “Riparian Forest Buffer Project,” which involves planting trees, shrubs and other flora to help protect the environment. New Jersey American Water, the Water Resources Program at Rutgers University, the Somerset County Office of Planning, Policy, and Economic Development, and the Somerset County Park Commission will support the project.

“Preserving the riparian border is extremely important. Not only does it filter nutrients, pesticides, and animal waste, but it stabilizes eroding banks, and filters sediment from runoff,” said County Commissioner Paul M. Drake, liaison to the Park Commission. “This grant will also help us maintain the park and protect both private and public property.”

The Park Commission received the grant due to the destruction of hundreds of ash trees caused by the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer, an insect native to Asia, and flooding from Hurricane Ida. The flooding and the infestation eroded the riparian forest buffer causing damage to vegetation and over 400 trees were lost. As a result, strengthening and stabilizing the riparian forest buffer is necessary to preserve the land.

As part of the Riparian Forest Buffer Project, the Park Commission will be installing approximately 200 plants, including river birch, sycamore, swamp white oak, and silver maple. Over time, the native trees will grow into a beautiful forest that will provide shade in public areas, provide food and habitat for wildlife, help regulate riverine flow, and improve water quality. The project will also help preserve the parkland so future generations can continue to walk, bike, picnic, bird watch, fish, and enjoy other outdoor events.

About Duke Island Park

Located in Bridgewater Township, Duke Island Park is a site of rich natural beauty offering numerous recreational experiences. Truly an "island" park, it is traversed by the historic Raritan Power Canal. The Somerset County Park Commission acquired this 343-acre site in 1958 and has developed it to provide a wide variety of active and passive recreational opportunities and special events for park visitors.

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