More eco-friendly moves at preserve
Duke Farms, a 2,700-acre environmental preserve off Route 206, has launched a free Bike Share program. Visitors older than 18 are welcome to sign up by providing valid ID and can pick up a bicycle from the Duke Farms’ fleet to use on the property. Helmets are also available, but riders are encouraged to bring their own.
To encourage visitors to use public transportation to get to Duke Farms, and to reduce the reliance on cars, a free shuttle service to and from the Somerville train station on Saturdays and Sundays began May 18. The shuttle is available each hour in coordination with the New Jersey Transit Raritan Line schedule, which runs across New Jersey to New York City. Information about the shuttle times can be found on the Duke Farms website.
Duke Farms has welcomed more than 350,000 visitors during its first year being open to the public. Over the last year, visitors have walked, hiked, biked and explored Duke Farms, including environmental educational programming for families, individuals, professionals and students.
Duke Farms is open to the public six days a week (every day except Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) and admission is free.
Duke Farms’ eagle cam has also been active this spring with over eight million virtual visitors logging on to watch a pair of resident bald eagles and their chicks.