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Photo by Lorraine Meyer

Explore the hidden gems in the arboretum

The arboretum is open every day 8:00 AM to dusk, weather permitting.

There are 7 pedestrian gates that are always unlocked.
The most commonly used are located on Home Hill to the right
of the Knippenberg Center on Long Valley Road
near the exit from the Pines Lake Drive West parking lot.

The Knippenberg Center for Education 
is open April 8 - October 31
Tuesday through Sunday, 12 Noon - 4:00 PM

Chair Yoga     Mondays at 10 AM

6/1        Opening Reception   Art Exhibit- Wayne Hills High School Photography Club

6/1-28   Art Exhibit - Wayne Hills High School Photography Club

6/7        10:30 AM Public Walking & Cart Tours

6/18       4:00 - 7:00 PM  Walking Stick Workshop - make your own walking stick

6/21      10:30 AM  Public Walking & Cart Tours

6/21      11:00 AM  Make & Take Home Floral Arrangement Class

6/24      4:30 PM  Book Club

6/25      5:00-6:30 PM GreenQuest Nature Club, for children from grades 2-6

Earth Day

to see a wonderful gallery of Earth Day photos by Lorraine Meyer

Earth Day was celebrated at Laurelwood Arboretum with a free family event that featured community organizations providing information and environmentally focused children's activities. This year's national Earth Day theme was renewable energy, and students from Passaic County Technical Institute and Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley High Schools presented several exhibits. Student leaders of Wayne created an innovative display with a model kitchen sink whose water powered a light bulb.Green Club and GreenQuest had tables with games that quizzed participants on environmental themes. Source Compost had a composting display where students got to see worms in action. In a NexTrex exhibit, Wayne Valley High School students showed how plastics can be turned into materials for a residential deck.

Children created crafts at tables hosted by the Pines Lake Garden Club and Riverview Garden Club. Friends of Laurelwood volunteers helped kids make butterflies and create collages. The Wayne Environmental Commission's display focused on birds and pollinators found in Wayne and the importance of native plants. The Certified Gardeners Association of Passaic County, the Franciscans and JPIC (Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation) of St. Mary's also had engaging activities. In addition, the arboretum's tour guides provided informative walking and cart tours of the gardens.

Earth Day is a free family event that Friends of Laurelwood designed to connect people of all ages with nature. We thank Andy Beloff of Crestmont Toyota, Mathew Linda of MBL Technologies and Glenwild Garden Center for sponsoring this event. Please support our sponsors and mention Laurelwood Arboretum when you do!

Annual Plant Sale 

to see a wonderful gallery of Plant Sale photos by Lorraine Meyer

Friends of Laurelwood held a successful Plant Sale over the Mother’s Day weekend. Each year the sale is different with a range of hanging baskets, succulent gardens, perennials, annuals and plants native and unique to our environment.

Peak Bloom Weekend

‘Mrs Furnivall’ on Brook Road.       

Dexter Garden on Ridge Road.

Laurelwood celebrated one of the Peak Bloom times of the year the weekend of May 17 and 18. The rhododendrons were exceptionally stunning this year. Many visitors took advantage of the free walking or cart tours and appreciated the unique collection of rhododendrons in the arboretum, the beautiful spring perennials and the newly planted Native Habitat Garden at the intersection of Ridge Road, the Fairway and Easy Way.

‘Mrs. Furnivall,’ located on Brook Road, was given to Laurelwood by Dr. Al Fitzburg, a past president of Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum and a rhododendron aficionado. It was hybridized by Anthony Waterer at Knap Hill Nurseries in England and named after his sister, Mrs. Charles John Furnivall.

The Dexter Garden on Ridge Road showcases some of the most unique rhododendrons in the arboretum.

North Jersey Chamber of Commerce

Photo by Lourdes Osorio

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum recently welcomed more than 20 members of the North Jersey Chamber of Commerce for a springtime visit commemorating Earth Day. The group, led by the Chamber’s President Michelle Vernuccio, enjoyed a guided tour during peak bloom of the arboretum’s flowering trees. They learned about both the plant collections and the garden’s outdoor sculptures. The visit included a presentation about the arboretum’s history, key plantings and opportunities for partnership and support. The beautiful spring day and visit to the grounds was a great opportunity to connect with nature on Earth Day.

Daisy Troop Service Project

On April 27, Daisy Troop # 99073 led by troop leader Robyn Stein Abramson did their service project at the arboretum. The girls sorted and stacked pots behind the Knippenberg Center for Education, assisted by Laurelwood volunteer, Lori Origlio.

April through October

This is a great opportunity to support the arboretum, meet new friends, have fun and learn new skills.

“The arboretum would not be as beautiful and healthy as it is without the hours of work put in by our volunteers,” said Carol Palmer-Yomtov, Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum Volunteer Chairperson.

Gardening Teams Schedule

Tuesday - Generals Team / Wednesday - Lilac Team
Thursday - Sensory Garden Team & Native Plant Team
Friday - Rhododendron Team
Two Saturday’s a Month - Native Plant Team 

Please bring gloves, clippers, a hat, water and bug spray.
All teams meet at 9 AM at the Pavilion.

An oasis of nature’s bounty

to enjoy this seasonal video of the arboretum created by Lourdes Osorio, Director of Education, Programs and Events.

Donations to Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum help to support the park's maintenance, operations and public programs.

Dues and donations are deductible for income tax purposes to the extent allowed by law.

Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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