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Friday, March 3, 2017

Spring is almost here!

We encourage everyone to venture out and enjoy High Point State Park this spring. Come on up the mountain and explore the top of New Jersey!

Learn more about High Point State Park, find current information on park hours/fees/advisories, and download NEW trail maps & guides, by visiting the official High Point State Park website:




OUR SPRING PROGRAMS & EVENTS:

Join our efforts as we once again take part in Earth Hour...






Earth Hour Observation
(Lights out on Monument)
Your home or place of business
Saturday, March 25, 2017
8:30 – 9:30 pm





On the evening of March 25, the Friends of High Point State Park are again participating in Earth Hour. The lights on the Monument will be turned off for the ENTIRE NIGHT in honor of Earth Hour.

Earth Hour started in 2007 in SydneyAustralia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour. It has been growing ever since. On March 27, 2010, Earth Hour set a record when 128 countries and 4,500 cities joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from all over the world such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the Eiffel Tower, and Buckingham Palace switched off.  People across the world, from all walks of life, turned off their lights and came together in celebration of the one thing we all have in common – our planet. Participation in Earth Hour has grown to include more than 162 countries and territories.

Earth Hour 2017 will take place on Saturday, March 25, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm (local time). This Earth Hour, we challenge you to go beyond the hour. After you flip the switch and the lights back on, think about what else you can do to make a difference. Together our actions add up. Go to www.earthhour.org for more information on how to participate in this year’s event.


Join us in honoring the Earth as we kick off our Yoga on the Mountain series with a special Earth Day Yoga and Meditation...








Earth Day Yoga & Meditation 
Saturday, April 22, 2017 
10:30 am to 12 pm
Rain or Shine
HPSP Interpretive Center
$5 donation









NEW PROGRAM INFORMATION:
Come join us for a uniquely exciting yoga class infused through out the class with meditations and reflections on Earth Day. Norma Brand will lead the yoga. Lynn Panico will guide the meditations. Beginners are welcome. Recommended for ages 16 and older. We will begin and end the class with a short drum circle; so bring your drums if you have one. (A few extra drums and yoga mats are available.) A $5.00 donation is appreciated. Questions call Lynn 973-702-0488. Sponsored by the Friends of High Point State Park.


Come out of hibernation and celebrate spring at our Teddy Bear Picnic…








6th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic
Saturday, April 29, 2017
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Rain or Shine
HPSP Interpretive Center
FREE/$5 donation










Families with children ages 2-10, and their favorite teddy bears, are invited to High Point State Park for a spring picnic where they will explore the natural history of the North American Black Bear. Activities will include a bear discovery station, crafts, family story corner, and more. High Point State Park's resident BIG teddy bear will be sitting for portraits - bring your camera!
Please bring your own picnic lunch and teddy bears! Registration is required for this program. The teddy bear picnic is one of our most popular events. Seating is limited. All registrations must be received by Monday, April 24, so that we may plan accordingly. To register your family for the teddy bear picnic, please email Michelle at friendshpsp@gmail.com. Registration is REQUIRED by April 24   


Lend a helping hand to keep High Point State Park beautiful this spring and join our Lake Clean Up...






4th Annual Lake Clean Up - CANCELLED
Saturday, May 6, 2017
(Rain date Sunday, May 7, 2017)
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

PLEASE NOTE: Due to rain forecasted for the weekend,  our organized lake clean up has been cancelled. We encourage visitors to help keep High Point beautiful - please pick up your trash and take it home with you. Thank you!


Help keep High Point State Park beautiful! Join us as we clean up trash along the shores and in the waters of Lake Marcia, Steenykill, and Sawmill. Meet at the HPSP Office Parking Lot. Participants should bring their own waterproof footwear, hip-waiters, and work gloves if they have them. Please be aware that participants may get wet and dirty, so keep that in mind and wear appropriate clothing and footwear. There will be no swimming. Individuals, families with older children, and groups are welcome to participate in the lake clean up event. Please call 973-702-0488 if you would like more information or have questions about the event. 


Come explore High Point with us on our Spring Has Sprung Bike Ride...  





Spring has Sprung Bike Ride
Sunday, May 7
11 am to 1 pm
FREE, $5 donation per rider






Come enjoy the beauty of spring at High Point State Park! Bring your own bicycle for a lovely ride to view emerging spring foliage and flowers. Our route will take us on an 8-mile loop along Sawmill and Park Ridge roads. A few shorts stops will be made along the way to view points of interest and to enjoy a picnic lunch. The bike ride is suitable for ages 14 – adult. Helmets are required for all bicycle riders. Please bring your own bicycle, helmet, bag lunch and water. The group will meet at the winter-use parking lot located on Park Ridge Road. No rain date is scheduled, but visitors are welcome to explore on their own. Park maps and suggested routes for bicycling are available in the park office. Please email Rob at rthawk@ptd.net for more info & to register.


Come Explore and Get Moving...




Monday Movers
Cedar Bog/Monument Trail Hike
Monday, May 15
10:30 am - 1:30 pm







The Friends of High Point State Park invites you to join Volunteer April Oleksy to hike & explore The Cedar Swamp & Monument Trail. Drive through the High Point State Park entrance then drive to the end of the road in the Cedar Swamp Picnic Area and that is the trail head parking lot. The trail begins at the yellow gate. The Cedar Swamp Trail follows a closed road into the Atlantic white cedar bog area in the Kuser Natural Area, then forks and circles around the perimeter of the bog. After walking over the boardwalk we will be taking a left into a section of the Monument trail. This part of the trail offers some of the best views in the park extending along the top of the mountain ridges almost to the New York border. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930's, sets of stone stairs and borders display their workmanship. The Cedar Swamp Trail is a 2 mile easy loop that is mostly flat, paved, gravel & boardwalk. We will be doing half of the loop then we will be taking the Monument Trail, which is a moderate to difficult rocky trail with steep climbs. After reaching the top, we will loop around coming back to the parking area. Our hike will be approximately 4 miles and usually takes between 1 1/2 - 2 hours to complete. Please make sure you bring water to stay hydrated while hiking. Feel free to pack a picnic lunch and join April after the hike at one of the picnic areas. Hikes are weather permitting and can be cancelled due to extreme weather. If you have any questions please call the park office @ 973-875-4800.


Visit our 2017 Schedule of Events page for summer and fall programs. See you on the mountain!