11-03-2023 8:52pm

Somerset County’s Reimagining of Lord Stirling Park Takes More Concrete Steps Forward

Donnella Tilery Editor

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County’s Board of Commissioners gave their approval for the construction of a new horse barn at the Stable at Lord Stirling Park, the latest implementation of the plan to revitalize the park launched in September 2022. The new barn will host horses for the Somerset County Park Commission for public riders, Rocking Horse Rehab, and boarders in support of full equestrian services.

“Lord Stirling Park has been a home to wonderful equestrian services for many decades, and the new horse barn will ensure these services are available to residents and visitors for decades to come,” said Commissioner Paul Drake, liaison to the Somerset County Park Commission. “It’s exciting to see this vision for Lord Stirling Park taking shape with the new barn plan, expanded trails, and renovations to the historic buildings as we prepare for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.”

Somerset County Commissioners and Park Commissioners cutting the ribbon on the reopened Stable at Lord Stirling Park in February, 2023.

The Stable at Lord Stirling Park’s programs were essentially halted when COVID struck in 2020, and Somerset County and the Park Commission used the down time to develop plans to ensure the Stable could provide fiscally responsible community equine services. However, during this process it was determined that the current repurposed dairy barn doesn’t properly support modern equine services and a new barn was required.

The new barn will feature 16 spacious horse stalls including 12 with their own exterior stall runs, three tack rooms, on-site laundry and feed rooms, and an American with Disability Act compliant bathroom for tenants. The new barn will be fully accessible to ensure all visitors, including clients of Rocking Horse Rehab, can enjoy the benefits of caring for and riding horses.

“We are so excited to see the Lord Stirling Park plan coming to fruition, and the new horse barn will be a huge step forward,” said Park Commissioner Kevin McCallen. “Lord Stirling Park is already a jewel of our system, and with the new barn, historic building renovations, and trail improvements it will be a crown jewel.”

The new barn for the Stable is only the latest sign of progress for planned Lord Stirling Park improvements. The upgrades to the trail system will combine the historic buildings, Environmental Education Center (EEC), Stable, and new amenities proposed in the plan. The new interconnected trail network will include approximately three miles of combined equestrian and pedestrian trails and ten miles of equestrian only trails. A new trail has been constructed connecting the EEC to the Stable, which will allow visitors to access both trail networks seamlessly. Ongoing improvements include new information kiosks, directional signage, trail markers, fencing and gates, and parking lot upgrades.

The Lord Stirling Manor is undergoing an archaeological investigation to learn more about the layout of the homestead and the lives of the people who lived there.

As part of the park plan and in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Park Commission is working on projects to enhance the Lord Stirling Park historical buildings at the Lord Stirling Homestead and the Boudinot Southard Ross Farmstead.

Somerset County has retained Richard Hunter and Associates and Richard Veit of Monmouth University to undertake an archaeological investigation at the Lord Stirling homesite to see what more can be learned about the era's life and times, and the extent of the manor complex including outbuildings and structures from the 18th century that have been lost to time. The manor was the home of Continental Army General William Alexander, known as Lord Stirling.

The Boudinot Southard Ross Farmstead is undergoing an overhaul to restore it to its pristine nature in preparation for the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The early 19th century main Boudinot Southard Ross Farmstead residence is receiving a significant overhaul with reconstruction of columns and masonry on its front, reconstruction of the rear and side porches, exterior power washing and painting, and electrical safety upgrades. The barn structure and stable outbuildings will also have significant cosmetic work, replacement of staircases and gutters, and various repairs to doors, roofs, and other features.

Lord Stirling Park is 1,015 acres of beautiful parkland, natural waterways and open space in the northern area of Somerset County that is home to the Stable, Environmental Education Center, and the Revolutionary War-era Boudinot Southard Ross Farmstead. These resources have previously been operated independently of each other, and the plan proposes to connect them with expanded trails and paths, integrated programming, and newly developed community event spaces along Lord Stirling Road and at the Farmstead.