It seems we have survived “fools spring,” “second winter” and “actual spring” with a dose of “summer.” But no matter what the thermometer says, things are heating up as we prepare for great outdoor activities in the Valley.
After a two-year hiatus, it was wonderful to celebrate Pennington Day with our community. We hope you had a chance to catch up with friends and neighbors while strolling through town. Maybe you were lucky enough to score a free reusable bag at the FoHVOS booth. Many more fun events are planned in June. There is something for everyone!
June 4 is National Trails Day, and we will be celebrating with a Force of Nature Hike. We are excited to announce the opening of our newest trail, and invite you to join us on our maiden journey. The hike will be led by the one and only Force of Nature, Romy Toussaint, and FoHVOS senior land steward, Beth Craighead. We will hike 4 miles round trip from Woolsey park to the Jacobs Creek Trail and back. Visit fohvos.info/events to register.
June 9–11: Come Outside and Play
Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance will host the 12th annual “Come Outside and Play” weekend with activities throughout the Valley. Heidi Kahme of the Hopewell Valley Municipal Alliance says, “Being in nature is linked to so many benefits. It opens our eyes to all the things around us. It lowers stress and gives us immense calm and peace. We are so grateful to all of our event sponsors for being a part of this weekend.” Families and community members are welcome to attend any of these free activities. Some require advance registration.
Test your sleuthing skills
Photo Scavenger Hunt. June 9–11. Grab a phone, download the free app i-Naturalist and head outside with friends or family. For directions to play and a list of items to hunt, visit fohvos.org/2022-scavenge. Search your yard or head out to one of our great preserves. Snap pictures of each item you find and share findings by 6 p.m. on June 11. Win prizes! Sponsor: Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space.
Pennington Farmers Market Scavenger Hunt. Saturday, June 11, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet and crayon from the Welcome Tent, then search the market to find the items on the card. Exchange completed Bingo card for a prize. Appropriate for pre-school and elementary students and families. Rain or shine.
Self-Guided Mystery Trail Hikes at Baldpate Mountain. June 9–11. Calling Young Detectives: Tully the Turtle needs your help! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go on a self-guided hike with your family on our Mystery Trail at Baldpate Mountain and find the missing ‘treasure.’ Download the map from here: bit.ly/MysteryTrailAtBaldpate. Sponsor: Mercer County Park Commission.
Roll up your sleeves
Vegetable Harvesting and Farm Tour. Saturday, June 11, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. At Wildflower Farm. Help harvest seasonal vegetables while learning about growing your own food. Stay for a tour and see our farm animals. Registration required: bit.ly/FoHVOSWildflowerFarm. Sponsors: FoHVOS and Wildflower Farm.
Sit back and relax
Outdoor-themed story time. Thursday, June 9, 10:30 to 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. Registration required: bit.ly/HopewellOutdoorStorytime. Sponsor: Mercer County Library System, Hopewell Branch.
Campfire Tales: Outdoor Story Time. Friday, June 10, 11–11:30 a.m. Gather around the “campfire” for stories, songs and fun! Open to children 5 and under, accompanied by an adult. Siblings welcome. Children will receive a take-home craft. Crafts will also be available for pickup inside the library throughout June. Registration recommended. Sponsor: Pennington Public Library.
Astronomy Outside with Telescopes. Friday, June 10, 8:45–11 p.m. Get outside under the stars and observe the night sky. Travel light-years through the eyepieces of professional-grade telescopes and see the wonders of the night sky up close and personal. Expert astronomers will guide you and answer all your astronomy questions. Check AAAP website, princetonastronomy.org/public_nights: Program will happen only if twilight skies are clear or partly clear. Sponsor: Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton.
Get moving!
A Fast-Paced Hike in Nature. Thursday, June 9, 1–3 p.m. Meet at the Washington Crossing Park Nature Center. Dress for the weather with proper footwear for wet, muddy trails. The group sets the pace and distance. Leave a message to confirm your attendance at (609) 737-0609. Sponsor: Washington Crossing State Park Nature Center.
Yoga with Nature. Friday, June 10, 4:30–5:30 p.m. One-hour yoga class out in the beauty of nature to help purify and harmonize the body and mind. Bring yoga props if needed and yoga mat or a towel. Registration preferred. Sponsor: Complete Health Yoga.
Meadow Walk. Saturday, June 11, 9:30–11 a.m. Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring in Mercer Meadows on a naturalist-led walk. Explore the diversity of wildflowers, butterflies and songbirds that rely on this unique habitat. Spaces are limited and open to all ages. Registration required. Sponsor: Mercer County Park Commission.
Be A Sourland Explorer. June 9–11, daylight hours. Would you like to become an official protector of the Sourland Mountain, home to thousands of extraordinary species? Visit sourland.org/sourland-explorer to find out what you need to do to earn the Sourland Explorer patch. This program was created by a Hopewell Valley teen volunteer. Sponsor: Sourland Conservancy.
Get the creative juices flowing
Outdoor Art Room. Thursday, June 9, 4–5 p.m. 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. Recommended for age 5 to 10. An adult must accompany all children. Registration required. Email child’s first name and age to info@artsparksstudio.com. Sponsors: Art Sparks and Pennington Borough Parks and Recreation.
Fun at Woolsey Park. Thursday, June 9, 6–8 p.m. Come outside and play at Woolsey Park. The night will be chock-full of festivity and fun for children of all ages! All participants will receive a Township Passport to travel through the park and experience activities like: Whacky Relay Races and Carnival Games.
The Department of Public works will also be on hand for everyone to experience “Touch a Truck” and a special “Junkyard” art project will be happening through the HV Arts Council. The newest member of the Hopewell Recreation Department, “Foxy,” will be making a special appearance between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Sponsors: Hopewell Township Parks and Recreation, Hopewell Township Public Works, Hopewell Valley Arts Council.
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With the end of the school year approaching and summer vacations on the horizon, it’s easy to get caught up in our hectic schedules. Whether you choose to hike, sit back and relax, create something or get your hands dirty, take some time to enjoy the restorative effects of nature in the coming weeks. For more information, visit bit.ly/HVCOP2022.
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