10,000 estimated to visit on opening weekend of increased access
By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Anthony Panzera, one of many artists painting en plein for Studio 7 in Bernardsville, studies a statue in the shell of a former hay barn turned into a statuary garden by Doris Duke. All of the painting done Saturday will be exhibited there in September, he said.
Photo by Holly DunbarWith cameras snapping all around, Robert Blair, a volunteer with The Raptor Trust in Millington, prepared to release a rehabilitated red-tailed hawk to freedom Saturday. The dramatic scene replaced a traditional ribbon-cutting.
Photo by Holly DunbarA hot-air balloon prepares to rise on the great lawn in front of what was once planned as the patio of a grand mansion envisioned to be built on the property.
Leisurely strolls through the woods of the heretofore restricted property were a simple, yet satisfying, part of the opening Saturday.
Photo by Gene RobbinsGetting up close, photographer Elena Tartaglia of Highland Park shoots the poppy field outside the back door of the orientation center. She said she was an ecology student who will use Duke Farms as the site for research on moth pollinator behavior.
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Duke Farms opens to acclaim
Gene RobbinsManaging Editor
Robert Blair, a volunteer with The Raptor Trust, gave a soft toss and a rehabilitated red-tailed hawk wooshed furiously to freedom Saturday.
A semicircle of onlookers "ooohed" as the hawk flew away, perching in a tree perhaps 200 yards to look back at the crowd.
"And now Duke Farms is officially open!" exclaimed Timothy Taylor, executive director of Duke Farms.
The private foundation opened to the public about 1,000 acres of a previously mostly private estate of the 20th century family whose fortune was made in the tobacco and energy industries. The large open area will be a regional center for education and appreciation of the environment, as the foundation focuses on its mission to teach environmental sustainability.
Duke Farms estimated that they had 6,000 visitors on Saturday and another 4,000 on Sunday, in perfect sunny weather in the high 70s.
"If Buck (J.B. Duke) and (daughter) Doris’ spirit had anything to do with it, they delivered today," Mr. Taylor said.
Saturday featured special programs, including a bird walk, presentation on bald eagles, an exploration of wetlands on the property and a walk to search for and identify mushrooms.
Activities on Sunday featured the debut of a new geocaching trail with 11 caches located on the Duke Farms property, along with a meadow walk and an illustrated program on bats.
"We were very pleased at the large turnout for our opening weekend," said Holly Dunbar, spokesperson for Duke Farms. "Many were curious to see the property and learn about the mission of Duke Farms. Some came to walk, and some came on bicycles. We had bird watchers and other nature enthusiasts, as well as families who simply wanted to enjoy the great outdoors.
On Saturday, there was a bicycle tour of the property, and a 5K foot race that wound through the woods on the property. The race was won by Jake Spooner of Whitehouse Station, a former Natural Resources intern at Duke Farms.
Ms. Dunbar said the feedback from visitors has been "overwhelmingly positive."
"Many expressed their support of the mission of Duke Farms, to inspire people to become good stewards of the land," she said. "And, many expressed their gratitude at now being able to experience and enjoy such a special place."
Universally, there was praise and excitement with the gift of the opening of the property to the public.
"I love this place," said Anh Le, a member of the Hillsborough BoroGreen sustainability group, which had a table at the event. "It’s a great thing they are doing. This place has so much to offer the area."
All across the property, people were enjoying the feast of nature’s beauty.
Robin Yoffee of Brooklyn raised her binoculars to watch a crested oriole in a shrub near the lane bordered by London plane trees. Her husband, Ed Browne, a birder and horticulturist, too, suggested they visit.
"It’s a great day and a great place. You can’t beat this. It’s a great combination for me," said Mr. Crowne.
Michael Kostelnick of Bayonne was anxious to see the architecture of the restored horse barn that had been restored and renovated into the orientation center.
"I’m a historian and an outdoorsman, so this is a real treat for me," said Mr. Kostelnick, who said he was treasurer of the N.J. Historical Society.
In mid-afternoon, Joe Vallent, a head grower in the native nursery, said the foundation had given away more than 400 native plants, as a way to teach people the difference between native and invasive plants.
Sitting in the mist creating humidity for orchids and other exotic plants in the restored conservatory, orchid grower Jeff MacBride said the crowd was larger and more continuous than he had thought.
He said two visitors told him they had belonged to the same church as Doris, and one man had brought a scrapbook with a clipping that showed him playing the organ in the residence (closed to the public) on the property.
At four sites on the property, hot-air balloons took visitors on up on tethered rides to gain a birds’ eye view.
Duke Farms is open six days a week, Thursday through Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesday. Admission to the property is free. For information, visit www.dukefarms.org.

