News & Updates
May 26 - MEDITATING NATURALLY
Learn how to relax and meditate with Pete Ferraro, owner of Westfield Yoga & Pilates Meditation Center. Peter’s presentation will include a description of the effects of stress on the body and the benefits of meditation to relieve that stress. This will be followed by progressive relaxation techniques, guided visualizations and healing poems from the various spiritual traditions, including spiritual poems from the Native American tradition along with live fiddle music inspired by that tradition. For: Teens & Adults (Beginners welcome) Time: 7:00-8:45 p.m. Bring: yoga mat or towel Fee: $5.00 Donation
As the facilitator of all of the meditation classes at the center, Peter uses many of his own poems and guided visualizations, and has produced several CDs of his work which are available for sale. His meditation classes include Kirtan chanting and live fiddle music.
May 23 - WILD EDIBLES
“Man (or woman) doth not live on bread alone” but could you survive in the “wilderness” of New Jersey on wild plants? Discover the wonderful world of wild edibles. Explore the Hanson Park and extended Union County greenway with Naturalist Debbie Naha and get to know the local wild edible plants. You’ll never look at “weeds” the same again! For: Ages 18 & up Time: 1:00-2:30pm Fee: Free
A Naturalist for the Morris County Park Commission , Debbie’s specialty and passion is wild edible plants. Debbie is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, with a Masters degree in Food and Nutrition from NYU. She teaches Family and Consumer Science at the high school level.
CALL CRANFORD RECREATION DEPARTMENT (908)709-7283 (Mention Hanson Park Conservancy) TO REGISTER FOR THESE PROGRAMS. DONATIONS MAY BE MADE IN-PERSON AT PROGRAM.
A NIGHT OF POETRY AT HANSON HOUSE
To celebrate nation Poetry Month HPC hosted a Poetry reading program at Hanson House. oN aPRIL 8, 2010, three local poets each read a selection of their favorite works. After a short break audience members were invited to read a poem of their own. The event was very well attended.
Hanson Park – Revisited
By Barbara Wirkus
While traveling pebbled paths
beneath sheltering trees,
this outdoor atrium
coaxes and cajoles us
into serenity.
Like a half forgotten lullaby
easing the burdens
that inhabit our days and dreams
it creates a comforting cocoon.
Songs of birds, in sharp contrast
to the clamor of nearby streets,
soothe our sore spirits,
as they fly unencumbered
throughout the park and beyond.
Sitting on giant boulders
sun gently warming shoulders,
a brief respite
before the inevitable
resumption of daily tasks.
Impatiently, we await
our return to Hanson Park.
SOWING A SEED
Cranford student, Jake Gallagher, found something very unusual about four years ago at Cleveland Plaza. Whatever these things were, Jake considered them, at best, very unusual. He and his mom, Cindy Dawley-Gallagher, solved the mystery once they realized these were acorns from the old Burr Oak tree at Cleveland Plaza.
Jake’s natural curiosity made him wonder if he should try to plant these seeds. Once the acorn seed pods had spent a season in the family refrigerator, Jake planted them in a pot. Magically one seed began to grow eventually reaching the height of eight ft.
Since a full size Burr (or Bur) Oak can grow to be about 100 ft. tall, the Gallagher Family began to search for a more likely home for this persistent seedling. As a full grown tree it would be too large for most Cranford backyards; Hanson Park seemed to be the logical choice. Trustees of Hanson Park Conservancy were very happy to accept this offspring of the old oak tree in Cleveland Plaza.
“Sowing a Seed” is the broader biblical term for a good work that grows and spreads from a small beginning. Jake, now fifteen years old, truly sowed a seed that will continue to grow, a good work for the pleasure of everyone in Cranford.
Here, Jake is being congratulated by Lynda Feder, President of Hanson Park Conservancy.
Cranford's Hanson Park Conservancy receives award for Woodland Theater
click here to learn more about this award
Please check back for our Spring 2010 Events Schedule!
Click here for a copy of our 2010 Newsletter.
Watch your mailbox!
Support Hanson Park and the Canoe Club
T- Shirts, Cards, hats are available for purchase at the Cranford Canoe Club and at Dovetails in downtown Cranford
Introducing our newest item the Canoe Club Magnet - $5.00
All proceeds from all items benefit the restoration work at Hanson Park and the
Cranford Canoe Club
The Woodland Theatre is finished!
It looks awesome! Please stop by to see it. A local parent sent us this video of their child playing in the theatre.
Remembering the River Jubilee October 6, 2007
Click here to see photos by Kevin Papa