The Most Memorable Mother’s Day
MORRISTOWN, NJ. Celebrate Mother’s Day, Sunday May 11, at two of New Jersey’s most beautiful public gardens complete with tours, complimentary light refreshments, and musical entertainment for the entire family to enjoy. Willowwood Arboretum and Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, facilities of the Morris County Park Commission and located in Chester Township, will be ready in all their springtime splendor to provide the most beautiful backdrop for your pleasure, as well as family photos. These remarkable historic gardens offer jewel-like gardens, lush landscapes, water features, and pristine meadows. You will feel as though you have been transported into another era.
On Mother’s Day only, from 12 noon until 4 p.m., tours of both gardens will be offered by the horticultural staff of the Morris County Park Commission, as well as the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation will join this celebratory occasion by providing informative meadow walks.
According to Lesley Parness, Superintendent of Horticulture for the Morris County Park Commission, “The Park Commission recognizes the importance of these facilities and their gardens for its historical significance. Bamboo Brook and Willowwood Arboretum are two of a select group of historically significant homes representing the Country Place Era, when private properties were developed as integrated landscape and architectural compositions. Few of these homes are in public stewardship and open to visitors.” At Willowwood, take advantage of the rare opportunity to tour the 18th century Tubbs residence, a remarkable historic home surrounded by over 3,500 native and exotic plants, many of them rare. The home of Martha Brookes Hutcheson, the one of the first women landscape architect in the United States, will be available to tour at Bamboo Brook. This country home, once called Merchiston Farm, located on 101-acre estate is among Ms. Hutcheson’s most significant life works.
For more information and weather updates, please visit www.willowwoodarboretum.org. This event is sponsored in part by the Willowwood Foundation.
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Morris County Park Commission, is one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey, currently protects and maintains 18,600 acres at 38 distinct sites and a year-round calendar of events and activities.
On Mother’s Day only, from 12 noon until 4 p.m., tours of both gardens will be offered by the horticultural staff of the Morris County Park Commission, as well as the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation will join this celebratory occasion by providing informative meadow walks.
According to Lesley Parness, Superintendent of Horticulture for the Morris County Park Commission, “The Park Commission recognizes the importance of these facilities and their gardens for its historical significance. Bamboo Brook and Willowwood Arboretum are two of a select group of historically significant homes representing the Country Place Era, when private properties were developed as integrated landscape and architectural compositions. Few of these homes are in public stewardship and open to visitors.” At Willowwood, take advantage of the rare opportunity to tour the 18th century Tubbs residence, a remarkable historic home surrounded by over 3,500 native and exotic plants, many of them rare. The home of Martha Brookes Hutcheson, the one of the first women landscape architect in the United States, will be available to tour at Bamboo Brook. This country home, once called Merchiston Farm, located on 101-acre estate is among Ms. Hutcheson’s most significant life works.
For more information and weather updates, please visit www.willowwoodarboretum.org. This event is sponsored in part by the Willowwood Foundation.
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Morris County Park Commission, is one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey, currently protects and maintains 18,600 acres at 38 distinct sites and a year-round calendar of events and activities.
Support the Morris County Park Commission at Whole Foods Market
MORRISTOWN, NJ – Whole Foods Market makes supporting parks and conservation as easy as buying groceries. On Wednesday, April 9 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Whole Foods Market area locations will donate 5% of sales to the Morris County Park Commission. Participating locations include: Madison, West Orange, and Milburn-Union.
Executive Director, Dave Helmer stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Whole Foods Market on the 5% day. The proceeds will positively impact the Park Commission in a myriad of ways including environmental education and conservation initiatives.”
Several times a year, Whole Food Market stores hold community giving days, or 5% Days. On these giving days, five percent of that day’s net sales are donated to a local nonprofit or educational organization. The groups that benefit from these 5% Days are as varied as the communities themselves. According to Leigh Siegel, Store Team Leader, Madison location, “Whole Foods Market has a strong relationship with the Morris County Park Commission and supports their valued mission. With a focus on environmental conservation and education, supporting this partnership is a perfect endeavor.” Recently, Whole Foods Market held their Kids Day of Service at Fosterfields Living Historic Farm to help kids learn the importance of volunteering and community service, as well as offer awareness of the farm to table concept. The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
Participating Whole Foods Market locations:
Madison: 222 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940
West Orange: 235 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Milburn-Union: 2245 Springfield Avenue, Vauxhall, NJ 07088
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The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
Executive Director, Dave Helmer stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Whole Foods Market on the 5% day. The proceeds will positively impact the Park Commission in a myriad of ways including environmental education and conservation initiatives.”
Several times a year, Whole Food Market stores hold community giving days, or 5% Days. On these giving days, five percent of that day’s net sales are donated to a local nonprofit or educational organization. The groups that benefit from these 5% Days are as varied as the communities themselves. According to Leigh Siegel, Store Team Leader, Madison location, “Whole Foods Market has a strong relationship with the Morris County Park Commission and supports their valued mission. With a focus on environmental conservation and education, supporting this partnership is a perfect endeavor.” Recently, Whole Foods Market held their Kids Day of Service at Fosterfields Living Historic Farm to help kids learn the importance of volunteering and community service, as well as offer awareness of the farm to table concept. The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
Participating Whole Foods Market locations:
Madison: 222 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940
West Orange: 235 Prospect Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Milburn-Union: 2245 Springfield Avenue, Vauxhall, NJ 07088
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The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
Artisans’ Fair at Historic Speedwell
MORRISTOWN, NJ – Celebrate New Jersey’s local artisans at the Artisans’ Fair on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Try your skills at different mediums, and experience the arts in a beautiful and unique setting. Artists specializing in weaving, blacksmithing, painting, and jewelry will be on site, answering questions, and offering hands-on activities. At 2 p.m. Ashley Scotto, Historic Program Specialist, will be conducting a Historic Fabrics presentation. There will be a tactile component of the presentation with paper marbleizing and quilting crafts available.
Don’t miss the remarkable special exhibit in the Vail House by our honoree artist, Abagail Eckert. When asked about her vision for the piece, Endless Memory, Eckert stated, “Firsthand accounts have the power to transport the modern person into a time beyond; Stephen Vail wrote copious diary entries throughout his life, and as I perused through these endless papers, the man ceased to be simply a face in a portrait. His words leapt off the page, forming a robust character who lived, breathed, and slept in these spaces (at Historic Speedwell).” Eckert added, “Endless Memory represents the spirit of the person who opened a portal to a world we can never fully know through their words. The gauzy fabric of Stephen’s ‘soul’ are covered in quotes pulled from his diaries that depict the love, loss, cares, and worries of the human condition that are so incredibly relatable to today. This artwork is meant to embody the frailty of human life and the contrasting eternal life of the written word as it’s passed down from generation to generation."
Historic Speedwell strives to make the connection that the lessons of yesterday can help us make decisions for today and tomorrow. For more information on the Artisans’ Fair, or to be register as an artisan, please call 973.285.6550.
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The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
Don’t miss the remarkable special exhibit in the Vail House by our honoree artist, Abagail Eckert. When asked about her vision for the piece, Endless Memory, Eckert stated, “Firsthand accounts have the power to transport the modern person into a time beyond; Stephen Vail wrote copious diary entries throughout his life, and as I perused through these endless papers, the man ceased to be simply a face in a portrait. His words leapt off the page, forming a robust character who lived, breathed, and slept in these spaces (at Historic Speedwell).” Eckert added, “Endless Memory represents the spirit of the person who opened a portal to a world we can never fully know through their words. The gauzy fabric of Stephen’s ‘soul’ are covered in quotes pulled from his diaries that depict the love, loss, cares, and worries of the human condition that are so incredibly relatable to today. This artwork is meant to embody the frailty of human life and the contrasting eternal life of the written word as it’s passed down from generation to generation."
Historic Speedwell strives to make the connection that the lessons of yesterday can help us make decisions for today and tomorrow. For more information on the Artisans’ Fair, or to be register as an artisan, please call 973.285.6550.
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The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
Tackle the Trail 5K & 1-Mile Fitness/Dog Walk at Central Park of Morris County
MORRISTOWN, NJ – The fifth-annual cross country race, Tackle the Trail 5K & 1-Mile Fitness/Dog Walk will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2014. This event takes place at Central Park of Morris County in Parsippany on a course featuring varying terrain with beautiful views. Registrants enjoy long sleeve wicking t-shirts, awards, giveaways, music, and refreshments. Pre-registration is only $20; $25 for race day registration. Pre-registration ends April 9.
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Schedule:
7:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.: Registration and packet pick up
9:00 a.m.: 1-Mile Fitness/Dog Walk start
9:15 a.m.: 5K start
10:00 a.m. Awards (approximate time)
Last year, Tackle the Trail attracted over 200 runners and walkers, ranging in age from 6 to 72, from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
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The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,600 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
Schedule:
7:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.: Registration and packet pick up
9:00 a.m.: 1-Mile Fitness/Dog Walk start
9:15 a.m.: 5K start
10:00 a.m. Awards (approximate time)
Last year, Tackle the Trail attracted over 200 runners and walkers, ranging in age from 6 to 72, from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
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The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,600 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
Nighttime Family Adventures
MORRISTOWN, NJ – When was the last time you walked through the woods after the sunset? An entirely new world awakens in the woods after the park gates close each night. A host of rarely seen nocturnal creatures come out for their nightly errands: flying squirrels glide between tree trunks, choruses of frogs sing from pools and marshes, bats and owls hunt on silent wings, and moths flutter around dimly glowing like white flowers.
Bring a flashlight and hit the trails just as the ‘night life’ wakes up at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center’s Night Hike Adventure on Friday April 11 in Chatham Township. Join a naturalist for an unparalleled experience with hands-on activities that demonstrate the amazing adaptations of nocturnal animals. Learn to listen for the wildlife and differentiate the unique sounds. Perhaps you will spot an owl flying nearby, or a raccoon peering down from a tree. Adults and kids ages 5 and older can sign up for a time slot between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on this fun, educational, guided walk in the woods. This easy-level walk over flat trails and boardwalks cost $6 per person, and is approximately one hour.
The staff of Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Montville invites you to a Full Moon Hike on Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. Experience the full ‘pink’ moon of the spring, named by the Native Americans for the wild ground phlox flowers in bloom at this time of year. Explore the trails in the diminishing light before the rising of the full moon. This moderate level hike is suitable for ages 7 and older. Approximately two hours in length, each hike costs $5 per person. Dress for the weather, bring water, and a flashlight. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 973.635.6629 for the Night Hike Adventure of 973.334.3130 for the Full Moon Hike. Visit us at morrisparks.net.
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The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
Bring a flashlight and hit the trails just as the ‘night life’ wakes up at the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center’s Night Hike Adventure on Friday April 11 in Chatham Township. Join a naturalist for an unparalleled experience with hands-on activities that demonstrate the amazing adaptations of nocturnal animals. Learn to listen for the wildlife and differentiate the unique sounds. Perhaps you will spot an owl flying nearby, or a raccoon peering down from a tree. Adults and kids ages 5 and older can sign up for a time slot between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on this fun, educational, guided walk in the woods. This easy-level walk over flat trails and boardwalks cost $6 per person, and is approximately one hour.
The staff of Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Montville invites you to a Full Moon Hike on Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. Experience the full ‘pink’ moon of the spring, named by the Native Americans for the wild ground phlox flowers in bloom at this time of year. Explore the trails in the diminishing light before the rising of the full moon. This moderate level hike is suitable for ages 7 and older. Approximately two hours in length, each hike costs $5 per person. Dress for the weather, bring water, and a flashlight. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 973.635.6629 for the Night Hike Adventure of 973.334.3130 for the Full Moon Hike. Visit us at morrisparks.net.
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The Morris County Park Commission features one of the region’s best park systems in the state of New Jersey. It currently protects and maintains 18,730 acres at 38 distinct sites plus offers a year-round calendar of events and activities for all to enjoy!
