THE SPIRIT OF Spring 2019 Fishing Derby Time in Essex County PAGE 11 PAGE 14 PAGE 14 PAGE 16 Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. Essex County Executive and the Board of Chosen Freeholders Daniel K. Salvante Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs PUTTING ESSEX COUNTY FIRST COMPLIMENTARY ISSUE Dear Friend, After surviving sub-zero temperatures this past winter, we surely are all ready to welcome the sunny, balmy days of spring. In Essex County, we have no shortage of activities that will get you and your family outside, shaking off the winter cobwebs and enjoying the sun’s warmth on your back. In this issue, we are highlighting our fishing derby program. Held at seven locations throughout our historic Parks System, the event lets children become outdoorsmen while putting the spotlight on our beautiful ponds and waterfronts. This is an activity that the whole family can enjoy and create memories that will last a lifetime. To experience the beauty of nature, we invite you to visit Essex County Branch Brook Park for the colorful blooming of the Cherry Blossom Trees. For two weeks in April, the vibrant white and pink petals overtake the park and create a spectacular scene. There’s also a variety of events scheduled to celebrate the season, including professional bicycle races, a 10K run, children’s fun run, Family Fun Day and Bloomfest. There’s also the blooming flowers in the Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens and the Essex County Brookdale Park Rose Garden. For the more adventurous, visit our Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. See exotic animals and learn about their place in the ecosystem at Turtle Back Zoo. Go for a thrilling ride on our Treetop Adventure zip line. Challenge your DERBY skills on our miniGOLF Safari. Skate figure eights at our ice arena. Walk along our Reel It In! waterfront or rest in the Clipper Pavilion. We look forward to seeing you in one of Fishing Derby Time in Essex County SCHEDULE our gorgeous parks. Saturday, April 13– Branch Brook Park, Newark (Cherry Blossom Essex County also has a diverse and talented community of artists who fill our The Cherry Blossoms in Essex County There are ponds and a reservoir in Family Fun Day) galleries, museums and theaters with creative, inspirational and thought-provoking Branch Brook Park may be an indication seven of Essex County’s 23 parks and works. Whether it is a painting, sculpture or historic piece on display, or a singer of the spring season arriving, but the recreation facilities, making the area Registration begins at 11am, Derby or actor taking to the stage, our art venues touch our emotions and offer an blooming pink petalled trees are also ripe with opportunities to sit along the begins at 12pm, Awards given at opportunity to escape our daily routines. 2pm synonymous with the start of another water and cast a line. Participants can sit Together we will continue Putting Essex County First. favorite past time. For the past 15 years, alongside the water with the anticipation Thursday, May 9 – Grover residents and their families have been of catching and releasing a variety of fish Cleveland Park, Caldwell/Essex Fells participating in Essex County-sponsored that include Crappies, Catfish, Large Fishing Derbies. Mouth Bass, Blue Gills and Perch. The Thursday, May 16 – Verona Park, The connection between the Cherry Essex County Department of Parks’ Verona Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. Blossoms and Fishing Derbies began staff stocks the ponds with fish before Thursday, May 30 – Weequahic Park, Newark Essex County Executive even earlier, with a fishing component, each derby to ensure young fishermen known as the Urban Fishing program, and fisherwomen have an opportunity to and the Board of Chosen Freeholders Thursday, June 6 – Irvington Park, being held during the first annual Cherry catch “the big one.” Some of the children Irvington Blossom festival in 1976. Today, the Daniel K. Salvante who participate have been lucky enough Saturday, June 8 – Monte Irvin fishing derby in Branch Brook Park is Director of Parks, Recreation and to catch a turtle or frog! They must be Orange Park, Orange held during the Annual Family Fun Day Cultural Affairs released as well. at Branch Brook’s Prudential Concert Thursday, June 13 – Orange The free event is open to males and Grove. Reservoir, South Mountain females in three categories: ages 5 and Recreation Complex, West Orange The fishing derbies are an excellent Brendan W. Gill, President under, 6 to 10 and 11 to 15. Awards are Thursday registration begins opportunity for children to enjoy the Wayne L. Richardson, Vice President given for the first fish caught by a male at 5pm, Derby begins at 6pm, historic Essex County Parks System in Awards given at 7:45pm. Saturday Tyshammie L. Cooper Robert Mercado and female and the most fish caught by a different and fun way. The experience registration begins at 8am, Derby Rufus I. Johnson Carlos M. Pomares age categories for both male and female. lends itself to children having a great begins at 9am, Awards given at Romaine Graham Patricia Sebold time outdoors while creating “big fish” Children are taught all aspects of fishing 11:15am. Fishing Derbies will Leonard M. Luciano stories and spending some quality time while promoting good sportsmanship. not be made up due to inclement with their friends and families in some They are encouraged to bring their own weather. Check the county This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the of the most beautiful parks in the area. fishing poles. Poles only provided to the website for cancellations. Arts. The Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs received an operating They have become so popular that some first 100 children. Participants should support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department n of State. children attend every derby. also bring bait, a chair and a bucket. 2 The Spirit of Essex The Spirit of Essex 3 Extension Mill Street & Franklin Avenue, bring their favorite basket to collect Belleville. For information and cost eggs and earn surprises. Participants please visit www.essexcountynj.org are encouraged to go green by ESSEX COUNTY or Eventbrite. exchanging eggs for small prizes. When SPOTLIGHT the eggs are turned in, the Center is ESSEX COUNTY CODEY ARENA able to reuse them for future events 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange and programs. Find a golden egg for 973.731.3828 an “eggstra” special surprise (valued www.essexcountynj.org/codeyarena at over $100). Light refreshments Seasonal events sponsored and photo-op with the bunny are by the Essex County March to May – Spring Learn to Ice included. Bring your own camera. Bad Department of Parks, Skate Classes. weather cancels. Advance registration Recreation and Cultural Affairs Tuesdays from 4:30-5pm, Fridays is required space is limited. Call from 4:30-5pm, Saturdays from 11:15- 973.228.8776. Fee: $15 per child. 11:45am or 1:30-2pm or Sundays from ESSEX COUNTY CHERRY 11:15-11:45am or 1:30-2pm. SPRING CAMP BLOSSOM FESTIVAL IN BRANCH March 2 – Free Cardiac and BROOK PARK Tuesday, April 16; Wednesday, Concussion screenings for ages 5 April 17; Thursday, April 18 from and up from 8am to 12pm in the Arena 12:30-4:30pm A BLOSSOM EVENT FOR ANY DAY Lobby. Sponsored by the Matthew J. Saturday, April 6; 7am to 1pm OR Tuesday, April 23; Wednesday, Morahan III Health Assessment Center April 24; Thursday, April 25 from Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race for Athletes. For information, e-mail 12:30-4:30pm Northern Division Oval [email protected] For children in grades 1 through Heller Pkwy & Franklin Ave, Newark March 14-17 – Devils Youth Shamrock 5. Restore the bond between children Hockey Tournament. Free. Sunday, April 7; 10am and nature. Children will have the opportunity to explore nature right here Cherry Blossom 10K Run JoJo Starbuck’s Adult Skating at the Essex County Environmental Cherry Blossom Welcome Center Class – Thursdays from 12-1pm. For Center. For details, call the Center at Extension information, email Info@jojostarbuck. Essex County Kip’s Castle Visit the Rutgers Master Gardener’s ESSEX COUNTY 973.228.8776. Advance registration Mill Street & Franklin Ave, Belleville com Celebrates Spring with Evening annual plant sale at either location for TURTLE BACK ZOO and payment are required. Fees: $160 Guided Tours a wide variety of annuals, perennials, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange per child for all 3 days OR $60 per Saturday, April 13; 10am start Parent & Tot Skating – Tuesdays Tuesday, April 23; Thursday, April ornamentals, shrubs, small trees, 973-731-5800 ~ www.essexcountynj. child per day. 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk followed by Essex and Thursdays from 10am to 12pm. 25; Tuesday, April 30 tomatoes and herbs. For more details, org/turtlebackzoo County Family Day and Fishing Derby Parents $9, Tots $7, Rental skates free. call the Rutgers Master Gardeners’ EARTH DAY Thursday, May 2; Tuesday, May 7; Prudential Concert Grove, Helpline at 973.228.2210 from Monday Spring Early Childhood Classes Saturday, April 27 from 11am to Thursday, May 9 Southern Division Public Sessions – Tuesdays from to Thursday between 10am and 2pm. The Early Childhood Program continues 4pm Bring your family, friends, and The $10 per person entrance fee Park Avenue, Newark 10am to 12pm and 5-6:30pm, Admission is free but plants will be through the Spring for families with neighbors for this annual outdoor includes coffee, hot chocolate and Thursdays from 10am to 12pm, for sale.