Somerset County Park Commission to Close Trails at Environmental Education Center and Portions of Duke Island Park Due to Recent Avian Deaths

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Somerset County Park Commission (SCPC) is temporarily closing portions of two parks following recent statewide and local avian deaths. 

The closures currently affect the trails at the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge, NJ, and portions of Duke Island Park in Bridgewater, NJ. Signage will be posted to signify areas closed to the public.The SCPC is coordinating its response with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) which has statewide oversight of the recent deaths of wild birds. 

Residents who come upon dead or sick wild birds are asked to report them via the NJDEP Wild Bird Disease Reporting Form. There is no need to report birds found in SCPC parks as SCPC staff are making reports daily.

The remainder of SCPC facilities currently remain open, but visitors are cautioned to: not feed, touch, or remove birds from any park; not approach sick or deceased birds; leash pets and keep them away from wild birds live or deceased; and avoid walking among or touching bird droppings.

Residents should continue to monitor the Park Commission website and social media for up-to-date information regarding park closures during the incident. Media and residential inquiries regarding wild bird deaths should be directed to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at 609-984-1795.

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