Nature Programs with the Mercer County Park Commission
FALL NATURE PRO GRAMS
Opening this Fall: The Tulpehaking Nature Center
There's a new nature center in town! After much anticipation, the Tulpehaking Nature Center will finally open this Fall as the Mercer County Park Commission's newest center for environmental education. The nature center will be the visitor's home base for exploring the Abbott Marshlands, a naturally and historically important area south of Trenton containing 3000 acres of urban green space, 19 miles of hiking and kayaking trails, and one of the most significant American Indian archaeological sites in the Eastern United States. Join in interactive programs about science, nature and archaeology, explore exhibits, stroll through the marsh native plant garden, get information on boating and tides, go bird watching, bicycling and more. We've planned a busy schedule of programs this Fall to celebrate the nature center's grand opening. Be sure to check our calendar and visit! Tell us how you would like to use the new nature center! Please take our quick survey by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KBN65K2 We really appreciate it!
Special Events at the Tulpehaking Nature Center FAMILY FUN DAY AT THE NATURE CENTER Celebrate the grand opening of Mercer County’s new nature center with a day of family activities, tours and giveaways. Test your skills against beavers, see live marsh animals, and more. Saturday, October 11, 10am—4pm PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: BEST OF VOICES FOR THE ABBOTT MARSHLANDS Stunning images of nature captured at this world-class marsh just three miles outside Trenton, New Jersey. October 11 through November 17, during Nature Center hours A FULL LISTING OF ABBOTT MARSHLANDS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS IS ON PAGE 4 OF THIS NEWSLETTER. The Tulpehaking Nature Center (TNC) is located at 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton NJ. For more information on TNC programs and offerings, please contact Kelly Rypkema, Naturalist and Nature Center Manager: (609)303-0704 or krypkema@mercercounty.org.
ALL CHILDREN and FAMILY NATURE PROGRAMS REQUIRE REGISTRATION. To register for a program or for more information, contact Jenn Rogers. When registering, please include the names of all attendees, a phone number, and the name of the programs you wish to attend. You will receive a confirmation via phone or email. If a program requires a fee, please carry exact change and pay upon arrival.
Mercer County Park Commission The Historic Hunt House 197 Blackwell Road Pennington, NJ 08534 609-303-0700 www.mercercountyparks.org
NATURE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN SUMMIT SATURDAYS Summit Saturdays is a kids only weekend nature club! With a focus on fun and exploring the outdoors, children will participate in a variety of activities such as scavenger hunts, craft projects and hikes. This program is led by Christy, our Teacher-Naturalist. Themes: On the Move (migration), Roots to Seeds, Fill the Pantry (hibernation) and Wild in Winter Saturdays, September 20, October 18, November 15, December 13: from 10am—Noon At Baldpate Mountain For children ages 7—10 $12 per program or $40 for all four programs NURTURING NATURE
Jenn Rogers County Naturalist Tel: 609-303-0706 Fax: 609-303-0447 jrogers@mercercounty.org
Spending time in nature fuels a child’s imagination. Parents, why not join in the experience? With guidance, you and your child will search for multi-legged critters, dissect a plant or flower, and explore the park for birds and frogs. Each themed program includes a group story or experiment, an outdoor hike and a craft. Grow to appreciate nature with your little one. At Mercer Meadows, Historic Hunt House (Blackwell Rd. Pennington) For children ages 3—5 and their parent $45 per session
Kelly Rypkema Nature Center Manager Tel: 609-303-0704 Fax: 609-303-0447 krypkema@mercercounty.org
Session A: Tuesdays, September 16, 23, 30 and October 7: from 10—11:30am Themes: Insects, What is Fall, Discover Seeds, Animal Tails Session B: Tuesdays, October 14, 21, 28 and November 4: from 10—11:30am Themes: Scaly Reptiles, Pumpkins and Apples, Bats, Turkeys FALL BREAK MINI NATURE CAMP
Christy Athmejvar Teacher-Naturalist
Schools are closed November 6 & 7. Why not treat your student to an autumn version of our Baldpate Nature Camp? This all-day mini camp will be loaded with the Naturalist Staff’s favorite activities, experiments and games from our summer camps. Register by October 1st, and your child can put in a request for their favorite summer camp activity! This program will be lead by Jenn Rogers. Thursday and Friday, November 6 & 7 , 8:30 am to 3:30pm At Baldpate Mountain For children in grades 3—5 $55 for one day, $100 for both days
SUNDAY STROLLS: A SERIES OF FAMILY NATURE PROGRAMS DISCOVER THE POND
FAMILY TREE I.D. WORKSHOP
Put down the newspaper and lace up yours and your little one’s sneakers. This month’s relaxed, Sunday-styled program will send your family along the trail to meet the organisms of the pond. Families will be equipped with dip nets, magnifying lens, specimen jars and field guides during this program!
Put down the newspaper and lace up yours and your little one’s sneakers. This month’s relaxed, Sunday-styled program will send your family along the trail in a tree identification quest! All families will learn tree I.D. skills and then will participate in a friendly Tree I.D. Challenge. Is your family cut out for the challenge?
Sunday, September 14 from 1 – 3pm Meet at Rosedale Park, Hunt House Parking Lot. For families with children 6 years and up.
Sunday, November 2 from 1—3pm
$4 per person
For families with children 6 years and up.
At Baldpate Mountain, Strawberry Hill Mansion $4 per person
AFTERNOON BIRD WALKS Join us for a casual hike -- with your binoculars of course! These walks are dedicated to spotting our fine-feathered friends. Never picked up a pair of binoculars before? No problem. All abilities of birders are welcome. Hikes are free and for teens and adults. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have them (extra binoculars will be available). Mondays from 1—3pm September 15: Mercer Meadows, Reed/Bryan Entrance (on Federal City Rd, south of the intersection with Blackwell Rd.) September 29: Howell Living History Farm (70 Wooden’s Lane, Lambertville) October 6: Mercer Meadows, Blackwell Road Lot (Blackwell Rd, Pennington) October 20: Baldpate Mountain, Summit Parking (Follow driveway on Fiddler’s Creek Rd to parking area near the Mansion on the top of the mountain.)
A HAWK WATCH AFTERNOON Spend a relaxing afternoon on the Park Commission’s new nature observation tower with Jenn and her field scope! She’ll be there from noon until 3pm, but folks are welcome to meet her on the observation tower at any time that afternoon. We’ve never watched for migrating hawks at the Pole Farm before, so this inaugural experience should be a treat! Binoculars will be available for loan. Free and for adults and families. Sunday, October 19, 12—3pm Red-spotted Purple Butterfly
Mercer Meadows, Reed/Bryan Entrance (Participants can walk to the tower with Jenn at noon or take the trail any time that afternoon to meet her at the observation tower.)
FRIDAY “JUST-A-HIKE” No theme, no focus, no itinerary; this program really is just a hike. We may make brief pauses to admire various elements of nature, but who knows what we’ll see or where this hike will lead us. Join County Naturalist Jenn Rogers on a walk around our County Parks. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle. This program is free and does not require registration. Fridays from 12:30 - 2:30pm September 19: Fiddler’s Creek Preserve, Fiddler’s Creek Parking Lot (meet at Fiddler’s Creek Rd Parking lot for Baldpate Mountain) October 24: Howell Farm and Baldpate Mountain, meet at Howell Living History Farm (70 Wooden’s Lane, Lambertville) November 14: Mercer Meadows, Rosedale Park Entrance (Blackwell Rd) December 5: Mercer Meadows, Pole Farm Entrance (on the corner of Keefe and Cold Soil Roads)
SPECIAL EVENT: Pre-Thanksgiving Hike and Program Take in a lot of scenery and burn a whole heap of calories on this pre-Thanksgiving hike at Baldpate Mountain. During this five mile jaunt, we’ll hike the most challenging trails that the park, and the County, has to offer. Please note: this hike is intended for individuals in good physical health. Please bring a small pack with a snack and water. The hike is free and for teens and adults. Running simultaneously to the five mile hike will be a “Celebrate the Harvest” program for children. Kids can join our Teacher Naturalist Christy for a hike to the summit and an hour or so of harvest themed activities and games. Parents and adults that are hiking will meet up with the younger group prior to descending Baldpate so everyone can conclude the afternoon’s hike together. The children’s program is designed for 8—12 year olds and costs $10 per child. *Please email jrogers@mercercounty.org to register. (Space is limited) Wednesday, November 26, 2—4:30pm Baldpate Mountain, Fiddler’s Creek Parking Lot (Fiddler’s Creek Road, Titusville) Meet at Baldpate Mountain, Fiddlers Creek Parking Lot.
Sun., Sept. 21. Meet the Marsh. 2-4 PM. Descend the bluff into the Abbott Marshlands for
Abbott Marshlands Programs and Events
nature exploration on this guided walk led by Naturalist & Nature Center Manager Kelly Rypkema. Info: 609-303-0704. TNC** Sun., Sept. 28. World Rivers Day. Crosswicks Creek and the Delaware River at Bordentown. 10 AM-noon. A walk focusing on these important waterways. See: D&R Canal Lock 1, RR bridge, and time permitting, a bald eagle’s nest. Guides: Kim Beidler, Project Coordinator, Coalition for the Delaware River Basin, and Michael Skelly, Executive Director, Bordentown Heritage. Sponsored by Friends for the Marsh. Info: 732821-8310. Meet at I-295 northbound scenic overlook, north of Bordentown. Sun., Oct 5. Canoe/Kayak the Abbott Marshlands. 10 AM. See migrating red-winged blackbirds and wild rice; 8mile tidal trip; Bordentown to Watson Woods and back. Optional walk to Spring Lake. Rentals not available; participants must have their own boats. Bring lunch and beverage. RSVP required to George & Leona Fluck, 609-2593734, or leona@pineypaddlers.com. Meet at Bordentown Beach; take Park St. down the hill, past the light rail parking lot. Oct. 11 – Nov. 17. Photography exhibit – Best of Voices for the Abbott Marshlands. Stunning images of nature captured at this world-class marsh just 3 miles outside Trenton, NJ. Info: 609-303-0704. TNC** during center hours. Sat., Oct. 11th. Family Fun Day at the Nature Center. 10am-4pm. Celebrate the Grand Opening of Mercer County’s new nature center with a day of family activities, tours, and giveaways. Test your skills against beavers, see live marsh animals, and more. Contact/info: 609-303-0704. Tulpehaking Nature Center 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton, NJ. Sun., Oct. 12. Kayaking Spring Lake. 1 & 3 PM. Get a lake’s eye perspective on the plants and wildlife of Spring Lake. Guided by Jenn Rogers, Mercer County Naturalist. Kayaks provided by Mercer County Park Commission. Ages 14 and above with adult supervision. RSVP required. $10 per person. Info: 609-303-0704. Meet at Spring Lake.*** Sat., Nov. 1. Autumn at the Abbott Marshlands. 9:30-11:30 AM. Experience the colors of autumn and look for the transition of the seasons as the plants and animals of the marsh prepare for winter. The pace of the walk will accommodate photography. Guide: Mary Anne Borge, naturalist and photographer. Sponsored by Friends for the Marsh. Contact/info: 732-821-8310. Meet at Spring Lake.*** Fri., Nov. 7. Beaver/Night Hike. 6:30-8 PM. Joseph Schmeltz, Naturalist Emeritus of Mercer County Parks, takes you on a search for beavers and other wildlife that come out only at night. The beavers have been busy in this neck of the woods! Bring a flashlight. Sponsored by Friends for the Marsh. Contact/info: 732-821-8310. Meet at Spring Lake.*** Sat., Nov. 15. Indians of the Abbott Marshlands. 1-3 PM. Tour the Marsh with archaeologists Michael Stewart (Temple University) and Greg Lattanzi (NJ State Museum) for a perspective on 13,000 years of human history at the Abbott Marshlands. RSVP required. Contact/info: 609-303-0704. Meet at TNC.** Sat., Dec. 6. In the Footsteps of the Lenape. Bordentown Bluffs, D&R Canal State Park. 1-3 PM. Leaders: Stephanie Fox, Naturalist, and Vicki Chirco, Historian. Sponsored by D&R Canal State Park. Info: 609-924-5705. Meet at end of Stanton Ave., Bordentown Twp. (Take US-206 south of I-195; take 1st right after Pointe Breeze apartments. Stanton St. sign may be missing.)
Program Locations ** TNC—Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Ave., Hamilton NJ *** Spring Lake—Roebling Park, Hamilton NJ. Take US-206 (S.Broad St.) to Sewell Ave., at traffic light turn right onto Sewell Ave., at the end of Sewell, turn left and drive down the hill to the parking lot.