Park Commission Press Releases: Green Weekends - “Bringing You Closer to Nature One Weekend at a Time”

Green Weekends - “Bringing You Closer to Nature One Weekend at a Time”

Wednesday, March 29, 2012

MORRIS TWP., NJ - The Morris County Park Commission presents Green Weekends, a series of three weekends filled with green-themed family programs offering the unique opportunity to discover ways to integrate green living at home. These special events offered in April, May, and June progressively bring the green theme from exploring broad global perspective to offering strategies on living a healthier lifestyle.

The kick off begins with the largest Morris County “Earth Day Celebration,” on Saturday, April 28, from 11 am - 4 pm at Lewis Morris County Park in Morris Township. Indulge in a day of live animal shows, great food, lively music, games and crafts, and fun for the entire family. On Sunday, April 29, from 12 Noon - 4 pm at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township, discover sustainable farming methods involving crops and livestock at “Sustainable Life on the Farm.” Enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride around the farm, visit the farm animals, and learn how garden vegetables, crops, and livestock were raised a century ago.

Come to the largest “Annual Plant Sale” in Morris County, featuring a wide selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals on Saturday, May 5 & Sunday, May 6, from

10 am – 2 pm at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township. Knowledgeable Plant Advisors are ready to answer your questions, and urban gardeners can learn about special plants for their distinctive needs. On Saturday, you can also attend a one-of-a kind program, “Seeds to Sow and Grow,” from 1 – 3 pm at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm and help farmers plant beans and marigolds, enjoy the farm animals, and learn about horse-drawn farming techniques. On Sunday, May 6, head out to the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center in Chatham Township for “Go WILD for Nature!” and explore the natural wonders of this area with a trained naturalist.

The month of June offers a packed-full weekend. On Saturday, June 16 come to Fosterfields Living Historical Farm for “Got Dairy?” from 11 am – 4 pm. Learn how to operate a hand-cranked cream separator, churn cream into butter, and discover how cooks in the 1920s worked over a wood-burning stove to make farm cheese. Watch the farmers milk cows. Finish the day at “The Edible/Ornamental Garden” at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum and learn from award winning garden writer, Karen Bussolini, on connecting two distinct gardening paradigms: vegetables and ornamentals. Preregistration is required. On Sunday, June 17, begin the day with “Get Started Gardening with Children” in the morning from 10 am – 12:30 pm at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum to find ways to garden with your child and to grow healthy food choices. Preregistration is required. Complete the day at “Discover Common Edible Wild Plants,” from 1 – 3 pm at the Great Swamp OEC to discover the wonderful world of wild foods. This program includes food sampling and recipes.

Stay the weekend and take advantage of a discounted rate with our partner hotel, the Westin Governor Morris Hotel. Simply call 973-451-2609 and say the code Green Weekend when making your reservations.

For more detailed information about the events, and accommodations for Green Weekends visit www.morrisparks.net.

Green Weekends is supported in part by a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

Lois Wnek, Marketing & Communications

B: 973-326-7618, LWnek@morrisparks.net

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The Morris County Park Commission,

the largest park system in the state of New Jersey,

currently protects and maintains 18,500 acres at

38 distinct sites and a year-round calendar of events and activities.