The Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance and its community partners have released details for its annual three-day communitywide event, now in its 15th year.
Hopewell Valley Come Outside and Play! was established to increase awareness of nature and an appreciation of time spent outdoors, families and community members are welcome to attend any of these activities.
Some activities require advance registration. Activities are free, open to all ages and will be cancelled in case of inclement weather unless otherwise noted.
Thursday, June 5
Outdoor Themed Story Time. 10:30-11 a.m. Learn about nature with books, finger plays and songs about the great outdoors. Open to children ages 5 and under, accompanied by an adult. Children will receive a take-home craft after story time. Space is limited, registration is required at mcl.org/events. Small chairs will be provided but attendees can bring chairs or a blanket. Location: Hopewell Branch Library, 245 Pennington Titusville Road, Pennington Sponsor: Mercer County Library System, Hopewell Branch Library.
Outdoor Art Room. All spaces filled. Join Art Sparks at Kunkel Park in Pennington for a chance to be part of a long, worldwide tradition of celebrating the beauty in nature reflected through the visual arts. Be inspired by the textures, colors and shapes in the natural world, and create a work of art combining traditional art materials with small objects found in nature.
An adult must accompany all children. Registration required and space limited to 10 students. Email child’s first name and age to info@artsparksstudio.com Location: Kunkel Park, King George Road, Pennington. Sponsors: Art Sparks and Pennington Borough Parks and Recreation.
Lawrence Hopewell Trail Run Club. 6-7 p.m. The Lawrence Hopewell Trail has a biweekly Run Club for anyone in their 20s and 30s. Join them this week to run for 2-5 miles in Rosedale Park and join the many runners who go to socialize after the run. All paces welcome. Location: Rosedale Lake parking area, Lawrence Hopewell Trail, Pennington. Sponsor: Lawrence Hopewell Trail.
Fun at Woolsey Park. 6-8 p.m. Come outside and play at Woolsey Park. Get a passport and travel through the park and take part in activities like wacky relay races and carnival games. The Hopewell Township Public Works department will be on hand for everyone to experience “touch a truck.” The Hopewell Township Police Department will be giving drone and K-9 demonstrations, and the Hopewell Township Health Department will be offering an interactive wellness table. Location: Woolsey Park, 221 Washington Crossing Pennington Road, Titusville. Sponsors: Hopewell Township Parks & Recreation, Hopewell Township Public Works, Hopewell Township Police Department & Hopewell Township Health Department.
Friday, June 6
Kids Swim Free at Hopewell Quarry. 4-6 p.m. Free late-day kids pass with the purchase of a late-day adult pass. Purchased by Friends of Hopewell Quarry in August 2021, the Hopewell Quarry is now protected open space and serves as a swimming hole and events space. To participate, tell the staff at the front gate this special code: “I have brought the Quarry Monster an Offering.” Location: 180 Crusher Road, Hopewell. Sponsor: Friends of Hopewell Quarry.
Astronomy Outside with Telescopes. 8:45-11 p.m. Observe the night sky through the eyepieces of professional-grade telescopes. Expert astronomers will guide participants and answer astronomy questions. Program will happen only if twilight skies are clear or partly clear. Check AAAP website. Location: Washington Crossing State Park (enter off Bear Tavern Road). Sponsor: Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton.
Saturday, June 7
Tai Chi by the Delaware. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Tai Chi with volunteers and teachers Lisa and Robert. They will be leading classes by the river for all levels. Wear comfortable clothes, no mat required. Meet in the lower park by the Delaware River, in front of the main parking lot near the Nelson House. Location: Washington Crossing State Park, River Drive, Titusville. Sponsor: Washington Crossing Park Association.
Just Birds with Jack and Jenn. 8-9:30 a.m. Birding together for over 10 years, Jack and Jenn have also worked collaboratively on several local bird conservation projects. These interpretive bird walks are open to all but especially geared towards newer and beginning birders. Bring your own binoculars. Registration required. Fiddler’s Creek Preserve, Fiddler’s Creek Road, Hopewell. Sponsor: Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space.
Clearing the Way for Washington’s Troops. 8:45 a.m. to noon. For National Trails Day, go to Washington Crossing State Park to walk in the footsteps of Washington’s troops Clear invasives, lay woodchips, pick up trash and help make the trails beautiful. Tools are provided, but participants can bring their own gloves and loppers. Work will proceed in the rain, but not a downpour, so consider rain gear, and bring water and snacks. Entry to the park is free, and there is plenty of parking at the Nature Center. Arrrive by 8:30 if this is your first time volunteering. Registration required by emailing info@wcpa-nj.com. Location: Washington Crossing State Park Nature Center, 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville Sponsor: Washington Crossing Park Association.
Pennington Farmers Market Corn Hole & Food Pantry Collection. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cornhole at the Pennington Farmers Market. Participation prizes for all children. If it rains, there will still be a farmers market scavenger hunt with prizes. The market also will have music from 10-noon. Bring a non-perishable item for Chubby’s Food Pantry and the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry. Rain or shine. Location: Rosedale Town and Country, Route 31, Pennington Sponsor: Pennington Farmers Market.
What’s the Buzz? 10:30-11:30 a.m. Calling all elementary families. Event at the Pollinator Garden at Hopewell Township’s Municipal Building. Learn how butterflies and other pollinators help flowers grow and why they’re so important. Registration required. Location: Hopewell Township Municipal Building Parking lot, 201 Washington Crossing Pennington Road, Titusville. Sponsor: Hopewell Valley Gardens for Wildlife, The Pollinator Posse.
Hooked On Fishing: Youth Fishing Challenge. Noon-2 p.m. Hopewell Valley YMCA Youth Fishing Challenge, a free statewide event to promote fishing among youth and their families. Open to elementary, middle and high school families. Bring fishing gear. Registration required. Location: 1646 Reed Road, Pennington. Sponsors: Hopewell Valley YMCA and NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife.
No-Judgment Playdate. 2-4 p.m. Join the Hopewell Valley Regional School District’s Special Education Parent Group in its second No-Judgment Playdate. Bring anything you and your child needs for comfort and fun and meet other Hopewell Valley Regional School District families. Location: Rosedale Park, Federal City Road, Pennington. Sponsor: Strive PTO.
All weekend
Story Stroll & Craft. Thursday, June 5 – Saturday, June 7, dawn to dusk. Exercise your body and your imagination as you follow the pages of A Stone Sat Still through Sked Street Park. Then stop by the library’s Maker Station to create rock art. No registration necessary. Location: Sked Street Park, Sked Street, Pennington and Pennington Public Library, 30 N. Main Street, Pennington Sponsor: Pennington Public Library
Outdoor Education Environment at the Wildlife Center. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Outdoor Education Environment located at Mercer County Park Wildlife Center is home to 15 permanent residents. These animals were either severely injured or because of human imprint, were not able to exist out in the wild. The enclosures you will see provide a safe environment for these birds and mammals to exist. Surrounding the enclosures is a wildflower pollinator meadow. The Wildlife Center is open for free, self-guided tours every Wednesday through Sunday. Location: 1748 River Road, Titusville. Sponsor: Mercer County Wildlife Center
Be A Sourland Explorer. Dawn to dusk. Explore 25 public hiking trails in the Sourlands. To download the packet and find maps of the Sourland Region trails, visit sourland.org/sourland-explorer. Mail answers to info@sourland.org to receive a free patch. Location: Sourland Mountain Sponsor: Sourland Conservancy.
