Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum will celebrate its 15th birthday with a fall fundraiser at the Knippenberg Center for Education at Laurelwood Arboretum, 725 Pines Lake Road West in Wayne. The event, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 15 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm, will feature the dedication of a Founders’ Garden, an exhibit by local artists and photographers and hors d’oeuvres by Viaggio of Wayne accompanied by wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages. Jazz pianist Gary Mancinelli will entertain on the piano. There will be a Silent Auction of carefully curated items.
Details about reservations will be coming soon. For additional information or to make a donation to the Silent Auction, please call 973-831-5675 or send an email to info@laurelewoodaboretum.org.
Wayne residents Dorothy and John Knippenberg donated the property that is now Laurelwood Arboretum to the Township of Wayne. Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum was created by a group of Dorothy’s friends who wanted to ensure that the arboretum would be preserved as a natural oasis as it transitioned to a public park. In 2003, Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. When Dorothy died in 2006, the organization assumed responsibility for management of the arboretum, in accordance with an agreement with Wayne Township.
Today, Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve, promote and improve the arboretum and provide opportunities for horticultural appreciation and education through public programs and outreach activities. Membership has grown to more than 450, with a cadre of 200-plus volunteers working to support the organization and maintain the park. Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum is funded by membership dues, plant sales and donations from individuals and businesses.