Week of 4/21/2025 - 4/27/2025
Wednesday Walkers
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Visitor Center Parking lot
23-Apr 9 AM
Description: 2.5-mile social walk on fairly flat, scenic trails through the park
Age: adults
Call (973) 786-6445 for more information. Pre-registration required at KVSP.eventbrite.com
Sturdy, ankle-supporting hiking boots and 2 hiking poles are recommended, as are "The Ten Essentials": https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/gear/the-10-essentials-revisited/
Kit & Caboodle Book Club
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Cafe Serendipity
24-Apr 2 PM
Description: Book discussion group for avid readers and bibliophiles. No monthly reading requirements! BYOTea and favorite reads past or present.
Age: adults
Call (973) 786-6445 for more information. Pre-registration required at KVSP.eventbrite.com
Come prepared to talk about a favorite book you've read lately; book swapping is encouraged; BYOTea/coffee
Celebrate Trails Day! Hike
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Blairstown Airport
26-Apr 10 AM
Description: The hike will be three to four miles. The trail is cinder-based which provides easy, walking.
Age: adults
Call (973) 324-0429 or email pbk123@aol.com for more information. Sponsored by Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee.
Bring a drink. Parking area is at Blairstown Airport on Lambert Road, approximately one mile East of Route 94. GPS Coordinates: 40.970082, -74.995344 See Meetup announcement for detailed directions. (Please park at far edge of parking lot away from the building)
Nature’s Canvas
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
26-Apr 10 AM
Description: Express your natural side as you get to meet one of nature's creatures up close and personal, and paint/sketch your very own work of art to take home with you.
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the Nature Center located at 275 Freedom Way. Free parking is available in Lot #6, across the street from the center.
Sensational Sea Glass
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
27-Apr 11 AM
Description: A workshop to learn about the history of sea glass and a beach walk to collect samples to make our own sea glass art.
Age: ages 8 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. Free parking is available in Lot #6, across the street from the center.
Colonial Crossroads in the Old Dutch Garden: African and European Music Meet
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site, 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
27-Apr 2 PM
Description: Carla Lynne Hall and Jim Keyes present music of early America at the intersection of Africa and Europe featuring Pinkster, the Dutch and African Dutch celebration of spring.
Age: ages 10 and up
Please call (908) 725-1015 or email wallacedutch@dep.nj.gov
Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets for this outdoors springtime concert in the Old Dutch Garden. Imagine the restoration of the Old Dutch Garden as part of Revitalization of Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites “Down the Brook” with the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association and Somerville Environmental Commission. Answer the Call for Action of Two Lights for Tomorrow and consider bringing a donation of supplies needed for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County: https://www.somersetfoodbank.org/about/give-supplies/
Week of 4/28/2025 - 4/30/2025
Wednesday Walkers
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Visitor Center Parking lot
30-Apr 9 AM
Description: 2.5-mile social walk on fairly flat, scenic trails through the park
Age: adults
Call (973) 786-6445 for more information. Pre-registration required at KVSP.eventbrite.com
Sturdy, ankle-supporting hiking boots and 2 hiking poles are recommended, as are "The Ten Essentials": https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/gear/the-10-essentials-revisited/
Explosion at Black Tom
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
30-Apr 10 AM
Description: Power Point Presentation about the history Black Tom and the events leading up to the explosion, followed by a drive to the Black Tom site.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet outside the Blue Comet Auditorium inside the CRRNJ Terminal located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking available in Lot #9, across the street. You will need your own transportation to get to the Black Tom site.
Week of 5/1/2025 - 5/4/2025
Historic Village Open House
Double Trouble State Park, Double Trouble Village
3-May 10 AM
Description: The historic sawmill and cranberry packing house will be open for self-guided tours, weather permitting. New exhibit in the display room.
Age: all
Call (732) 341-4098 or email DoubleTrouble@dep.nj.gov for more information. Rain or forecast rain will cancel.
Sunday Stroll
Cheesequake State Park, Hooks Creek Lake Day Use Area
4-May 10 AM
Description: Join our park naturalist on a scenic stroll exploring the plants and animals found within the park. This walk will be about 2 miles and go over moderate terrain.
Age: all
Call (732) 566-3208 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please register here: https://forms.office.com/g/j9Zv2N8iah
Please come prepared with water, proper clothing/footwear, bug spray, and sunscreen!
Sunday Fundays: Neat Nifty Nature
Double Trouble State Park, Double Trouble restroom building
4-May 10 AM
Description: Join us for an introduction to our Nature Program at Double Trouble State Park. Meet and Greet with Naturalist Lisa and Milo the Therapy Dog
Age: all
Call (609) 726-1191 or email DoubleTrouble@dep.nj.gov for more information. Rain or forecast rain will cancel.
Dia de Don Juan: George Washington's Spanish Ally
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Site, 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
4-May 3 PM
Description: Celebrate “Dia de Don Juan” at Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage with a reading and discussion of the correspondence between George Washington and Don Juan de Miralles during the Revolutionary War.
Age: ages 10 and up
Please call (908) 725-1015 or email wallacedutch@dep.nj.gov
Answer the Call for Action of Two Lights for Tomorrow and consider bringing a donation of supplies needed for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County: https://www.somersetfoodbank.org/about/give-supplies/
Week of 5/5/2025 - 5/11/2025
The Historic Trilogy
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
7-May 10 AM
Description: Power Point Presentation and discussion about the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and CRRNJ Terminal, and the roles they played in immigration.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet outside the Blue Comet Auditorium inside the CRRNJ Terminal located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking available in Lot #9, across the street.
Wildflower Walk
Cheesequake State Park, Hooks Creek Lake Day Use Area
10-May 10 AM
Description: Join us on a walk to observe some of our native wildflowers. This walk will be about 2 miles and go over moderate terrain.
Age: all
Call (732) 566-3208 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please register here: https://forms.office.com/g/j9Zv2N8iah
Please come prepared with water, proper clothing/footwear, bug spray, and sunscreen!
Hike
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Swartswood Wildlife Management Area
10-May 10 AM
Description: The hike will be three to four miles. The trail is cinder-based which provides easy, walking
Age: all
Call (973) 324-0429 or email pbk123@aol.com for more information. Sponsored by Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee.
Swartswood Wildlife Management Area parking lot located on Junction Road between Swartswood and Parsons Roads. GPS Coordinates: 41.070653, -74.792198 See Meetup announcement for detailed directions.
Bike Ride
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Warbasse Junction Parking Area
10-May 11:30 AM
Description: The length of the ride will be 17 miles, (round trip), unless a majority of the group chooses to ride less or more. The trail is cinder-based which provides easy, level biking.
Age: all
Call (973) 887-4332 or email paul_rottmann@hotmail.com for more information. Sponsored by Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee.
Bring your helmet, lunch, and a drink. Parking area is on Warbasse Junction Road 1/2 mile South of intersection with Route 94. GPS Coordinates: 41.085293, -74.699741 See Meetup announcement for detailed directions.
Hike to Caven Point
Liberty State Park, 300 Morris Pesin Drive
10-May 10 AM
Description: A guided walk to Caven Point Beach to look for winter animals and take in the unique views of the New York Harbor
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors, wear shoes comfortable for walking, and bring binoculars if you have them. The walk is 1 1/2 miles round trip, so be sure all participants are comfortable walking this distance.
Mother's Day Crafts
Cheesequake State Park, Nature Center
11-May 12 PM
Description: Stop by the nature center to make a gift for Mother's Day including bracelets, cards and more! All materials will be provided.
Age: all
Call (732) 566-3208 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please register here: https://forms.office.com/g/j9Zv2N8iah
Please come prepared with water, proper clothing/footwear, bug spray, and sunscreen!
Week of 5/12/2025 - 5/18/2025
Sunday Stroll
Cheesequake State Park, Hooks Creek Lake Day Use Area
18-May 10 AM
Description: Join our park naturalist on a scenic stroll exploring the plants and animals found within the park. This walk will be about 2 miles and go over moderate terrain.
Age: all
Call (732) 566-3208 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please register here: https://forms.office.com/g/j9Zv2N8iah
Please come prepared with water, proper clothing/footwear, bug spray, and sunscreen!
Sunday Fundays: Shell-ebrate Turtles
Double Trouble State Park, Double Trouble restroom building
18-May 10 AM
Description: Join Naturalist Lisa to learn about turtles on a Turtle Trek and Story Time on the Packing House Porch.
Age: all
Call (609) 726-1191 or email DoubleTrouble@dep.nj.gov for more information. Rain or forecast rain will cancel.
Sensational Sea Glass
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
18-May 9:30 AM
Description: A workshop to learn about the history of sea glass and a beach walk to collect samples to make our own sea glass art.
Age: ages 8 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes comfortable for walking. Free parking is available in Lot #6, across the street from the center.
Bird Walk
Round Valley Recreation Area, South Lot Overlook
18-May 9 AM
Description: Join Naturalists Alan and Barbara for a guided bird walk at Round Valley Recreation Area. Meet at the South Parking Lot at 9:00am and check out the birds that congregate on the coast, perch in the pine forest, and splash around in the swimming area.
Age: all ages
Please call (908) 236-2355 or email Roundvalley@dep.nj.gov
Bring binoculars and water, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy footwear; the coastline is fairly rocky.
Week of 5/19/2025 - 5/25/2025
Trail of the Blue Comet
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
21-May 10 AM
Description: Power Point Presentation and discussion about the famous Blue Comet train, followed by a walk to the original tracks where the Blue Comet ran from.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the giant flag on the steps inside the CRRNJ Terminal building located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking in Lot #9.
Nature Arts and Crafts
Cheesequake State Park, Nature Center
24-May 1 PM
Description: Stop by the nature center to make a craft out of all natural materials!
Age: all
Call (732) 566-3208 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please register here: https://forms.office.com/g/j9Zv2N8iah
Park entrance fees will apply.
Please come prepared with water, proper clothing/footwear, bug spray, and sunscreen!
Bird Watching at the Salt Marsh
Cheesequake State Park, Observation Deck at the Hooks Creek Lake Day Use Area
25-May 9 AM
Description: Come visit us at the observation deck to observe some of our native birds found in the salt marsh. We will have binoculars set up to help get a closer look!
Age: all
Call (732) 566-3208 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please register here: https://forms.office.com/g/j9Zv2N8iah
Park entrance fees will apply.
Please come prepared with water, proper clothing/footwear, bug spray, and sunscreen!
Sunday Fundays: Veterans Rock
Double Trouble State Park, Double Trouble restroom building
25-May 7 PM
Description: Join Naturalist Lisa for a sunset hike and make a gift to honor our veterans. This event starts at 7:00 pm.
Age: all
Call (609) 726-1191 or email DoubleTrouble@dep.nj.gov for more information. Rain or forecast rain will cancel.
Storytime and Craft
Liberty State Park, Nature Center
25-May 11 AM
Description: Hear a story about the different kinds of wildlife and habitats found in Liberty State Park and then make a story-related craft to take home with you.
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet at the Nature Center located at 275 Freedom Way. Free parking is available in Lot #6 across the street from the center.
Guided Nature Hike
Cheesequake State Park, Hooks Creek Lake Day Use Area
26-May 10 AM
Description: Join our park naturalist on a guided hike and discover the history and various ecosystems found within Cheesequake State Park. This walk will be about 3 miles and go over moderate terrain.
Age: all
Call (732) 566-3208 or email nicole.bendixen@dep.nj.gov for more information. Please register here: https://forms.office.com/g/j9Zv2N8iah
Park entrance fees will apply.
Please come prepared with water, proper clothing/footwear, bug spray, and sunscreen!
Week of 5/26/2025 - 5/31/2025
Explosion at Black Tom
Liberty State Park, CRRNJ Terminal
28-May 10 AM
Description: Power Point Presentation about the history Black Tom and the events leading up to the explosion, followed by a drive to the Black Tom site.
Age: ages 10 and up
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please meet outside the Blue Comet Auditorium inside the CRRNJ Terminal located at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive. Free parking available in Lot #9, across the street.
Horseshoe Crab Walk
Liberty State Park, 300 Morris Pesin Drive
31-May 11 AM
Description: Join our staff on a walk to discover the amazing horseshoe crab and learn about the important roles this species plays in the natural world.
Age: all ages
Pre-registration required. Please call (201) 915-3400 x503 or email LSPNatureCenter@dep.nj.gov.
Please dress to be outdoors and wear shoes that can get wet/muddy. The walk is approximately 1 1/2 miles, so please be sure all participants are comfortable walking the distance.
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