MAYORS WELLNESS CAMPAIGN
2024 HEALTHY TOWN
Bernards Township Earns Healthy Town Designation
Bernards Township has once again earned the Healthy Town designation in 2025, reaffirming its commitment to wellness and inclusion. This year’s efforts placed a strong emphasis on accessibility, with initiatives such as a sensory-friendly hour before the Mayor’s Fall Festival for guests with cognitive disabilities and expanded support for veterans by offering a free shuttle service to the Lyons VA hospital. Together, these programs reflect Bernards Township’s dedication to building a healthy community where all residents can participate and thrive.
“The Mayors Wellness Campaign is among our township priorities, an important lever toward making our community a great place to live and thrive. The programs and services offered to residents at all stages and abilities, from our Health Department, Library, and Parks and Recreation, are critical to fostering health and wellness in Bernards. We will continue to provide those services, while assessing what more can be done — as an example, on being an age-friendly community, through our partnership with the local Somerset Hills YMCA,” said Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy.
The Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) is a statewide community health initiative that provides evidence-based tools and strategies for mayors and community leaders to help their residents achieve healthier lifestyles and to improve overall health and wellness in their communities. The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute has been leading the Mayors Wellness Campaign in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities since 2006. The campaign includes over 400 participating communities, and is growing.
MWC Happenings:
Yoga in the Park with the Mayor, 2025
Upcoming Events
Opening: June 13th 10-10:30 am
Where: Pleasant Valley Park
THIS WILL BE AN OUTDOOR - IN PERSON EVENT HELD AT PLEASANT VALLEY PARK
Kick off the start of the Summer Reading Challenge with a walk around the newly installed StoryWalk® at Pleasant Valley Park with Ms. Ellen! Enjoy the delightful children’s book
Dinosaurs from Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick and Kwanchai Moriya. Meet Ms. Ellen at 10am at the first station.
Kick off the start of the Summer Reading Challenge with a walk around the newly installed StoryWalk® at Pleasant Valley Park with Ms. Ellen! Enjoy the delightful children’s book
Dinosaurs from Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick and Kwanchai Moriya. Meet Ms. Ellen at 10am at the first station.
MAKE BERNARDS STREETS SAFER! Take the Bernards Township Street Smart Safety Campaign Survey by clicking here.
Beyond the Baby Blues Mom-to-Mom Support Group (Daytime)
When: Every Tuesday, 10–11 AM Format: Virtual
Who it’s for: Postpartum mothers
Join via Zoom: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/340961076
Beyond the Baby Blues Mom-to-Mom Support Group (Evening)
When: 2nd & 4th Mondays, 6–7 PM
Format: Virtual
Who it’s for: Postpartum mothers
Join via Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/woe-nrak-ors
Mindfulness for Mamas
When: 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 8:30–9:15 PM
Format: Virtual
Who it’s for: Pregnant and postpartum mothers
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/yxmvtuxj
When: June 15th (Raindate June 16th) 3-5 pm
Where: Harry Dunham Picnic Pavillion
Watch Jurassic Park at the Library!
When: June 22d 6:30-8:30
Where: Meet in front of the Library
When: June 25th 2-3 pm
Where: Meet in Front of the Library
When: July 15th 12-3 pm and
July 16th 1-4 pm
Where: Fellowship Village Wellness Center
8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge
Free (if qualify) Registration required
Helpful Tips
Link to New Jersey Air Quality Index issued by NJDEP
www.airnow.gov/state/?name=newjersey
Project Medicine Drop
Drop your over the counter and prescription medicines in the drop box at the Bernards Township Police Station 1 Collyer Ln. No needles accepted.
Why buy when you can BORROW? Check out the "LIBRARY OF THINGS" at the Library. All you need is a Library card! Click this link to see items available. https://www.bernardslibrary.org/libraryofthings
Blood Pressure Management Program
Join the YMCA Healthy Heart Program to Take Control of Your Blood Pressure Now
For Seniors
Operated by the Office on Aging & Disability Services, the Senior Center offers a variety of activities including educational programs, and health and wellness information in a stimulating social setting. Somerset County residents who are 60+ and caregivers who support this population are eligible to attend. Those 60+ who need assistance with daily life activities are welcome to attend with a caregiver. Interested residents must call or visit the center to register. Proof of identification, age and residency is required. Programs are FREE for registered members, unless indicated otherwise. A nutritionally balanced lunch is available Monday through Friday for a suggested donation of $2.50 for anyone age 60+; the cost of lunch for those under 60 is $8.47. Menu choices include a hot meat-based or meatless entrée or a cold meat-based or meatless boxed lunch. Please make reservations prior to 10 a.m. on the previous business day.
Therapeutic Recreation Programs
Somerset County Park Commission Therapeutic Recreation (SCPCTR)
Ages 15 Plus
The Bernards Township Department of Parks and Recreation has a cooperative agreement with SCPCTR to provide year-round recreation and leisure opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Click here to view the brochure of winter activities. Registration will open January 6, 2026 at 12 pm.
2026 Past Events
January
Mind n Mingle Tails and Textbooks
New Year Meditation- Virtual Event
Special Needs Happy Hour
Free Blood Pressure Screening
February
Free Blood Pressure Screening
Screening of LIKE, a documentary about the impact of social media in our lives
Special Needs Social Hour
NJ Transit Survey
Mind n Mingle Teen Meditation Workshop
Theraputic Recreation Workshops
March
Mind n Mingle Lip Scrub Bar
The Upstanders- documentary Screening and Guided Discussion on Bullying
Navigating SSI and SSDI Benefits
April
Town- Wide Green Yard Sale
Job Resource Series- Job Search Strategy
Sensory Explorers Grades K-5
Native Plant Give-away at the EEC
May
ANGST - Documentary Screening and Guided Discussion as part of MIND MATTERS series
Sensory Explorers for Grades K-5
Mind n Mingle Polymer Clay Mirrors
Yoga in the Park with the Mayor
Community Survey for Resident 55 and up in partnership with the Somerset Hills YMCA
June
Teen Sensory- Friendly Ice Cream and Dance Party
Special Needs Social Hour
Repair Cafe