Earth Hour 2016

We are happy see spring paint the mountain green once again. The Friends of High Point State Park have many exciting events planned for this upcoming season so be sure to check out our calendar of events.

In the spirit of going green…

Earth Hour

(Lights out on Monument)

Saturday, March 19, 2016

8:30 – 9:30 pm

Your home or place of business

On the evening of March 19, 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 Sydney, Australia 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 172 countries and territories.

Earth Hour 2016 will take place on Saturday, March 19, 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.

Thank you! 

Oh, What Fun!

Thank you to everyone who came up the mountain for our

2016 Winter Festival!

We had a wonderful turnout for the event that was held on Saturday, January 30. Visitors were treated to bird feeder and seasonal crafts; sled dog, ice fishing, and curling demonstrations; free use of snow shoes, a guided winter walk, a children’s sing-a-long, and fireside hot soups, beverages, and treats.  

Warm sunshine brightened everyone’s day and so did the canine visitors from the New Jersey Sled Dog Club.

Thank you to Kathy Murarik and the New Jersey Sled Dog Club for the exciting education program and demonstration. We would also like to thank the owners of the sled dog puppies that came up to share their exuberant little friends with us.

Fun times were had down on Lake Marcia as well with curling and ice fishing demonstrations. Thank you to Dean Roth and Paul Graebena of Plainfield Curling Club for joining us and sharing your excitement and expertise on the ice. To learn more about the sport of curling and the Plainfield Curling Club, please visit www.njcurling.org.

Thank you to Joe Rocco for once again entertaining our young visitors! We appreciate your continued support and friendship.

We would like to thank the New Jersey School of Conservation for their generous loan of snowshoes for the day. We greatly appreciate your annual support! A special thank you to Dr. Randy Fitzgerald, Dr. William Thomas, and Tom Card with the New Jersey School of Conservation/Montclair State University, your generous donation of equipment and time was much appreciated by our participants.

A huge thank you to all our volunteers who give their time and talents to bring smiles to visitors of all ages.

Photos from the event are now available for viewing from our photos page and by clicking here.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone on the mountain again soon!

Winter Festival 2016

Please join us for our annual celebration of snow and ice at High Point State Park!

Snowmen, Art Credit: Kaitlyn Straway

Winter Festival

Saturday, January 30, 2016

12 pm to 3 pm

(Snow date Sunday, January 31)

HPSP Interpretive Center

Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of winter fun. Activities will include winter themed crafts, guided hike, story corner, sing along, hot cocoa and cookies by the fire, snowshoeing and ice-fishing demonstrations (conditions permitting). Admission to the Winter Festival is FREE, but a suggested donation of $5 or more per family is appreciated.

The New Jersey Dog Sled Club will attend and present an education program and sled dog demonstration.

Massena Sled Dog Races, photo provided by Kathy Murarik

Kathy on gig at Pine Barrens, photo provided by Kathy Murarik

Winter Festival Schedule 

12 pm – 3 pm Bird Feeder Crafts, Cookies & Cocoa by the Fire, Ice Fishing Demonstration, Snowshoeing

12:30 pm Guided Hike

1:30 pm Winter Weather Talk with Nick Stefano

2:15 pm Story Time

2:30 pm Sing-Along with Joe Rocco

Snow Date for the Winter Festival is Sunday, January 31, from 12 pm to 3 pm. We will post an update on this page and on Facebook if there is a need to postpone to the snow date. Happy Winter!  

Please Renew Your Friends of High Point State Park Membership in 2016! 

Thank you and we hope to see you on the mountain!

Winter Wishes

Snow Squall, October 2015

The Friends of High Point State Park wish our members, volunteers, and HPSP staff, a Happy Holiday Season and Happy New Year!

We deeply appreciate all of the time, energy, and donation dollars that you

so generously give to support our organization throughout the year. Without you, we would not be able to bring our many free programs to the High Point State Park community. 

Thank you! 

Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers? Looking for last minute gift ideas? High Point State Park is the perfect place to enjoy nature and purchase the perfect gift! 

Friends of High Point State Park merchandise is available for sale in the Park Office. We offer hoodies, t-shirts, patches, our Music on the Mountain CD and more! 

Save the Date for our annual Winter Festival as we celebrate snow and ice at High Point State Park!

Snowmen, Art Credit Kaitlyn Straway

Winter Festival

Saturday, January 30, 2016

12 pm to 3 pm

(Snow date Sunday, January 31)

HPSP Interpretive Center

Please join us for our annual celebration of snow and ice at High Point State Park. Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of winter fun. Activities will include winter themed crafts, guided hike, story corner, sing along, hot cocoa and cookies by the fire, snowshoeing and ice-fishing demonstrations (conditions permitting). The event is FREE, but a suggested donation of $5 or more per family is appreciated.

Winter Festival Schedule 

12 – 3 pm Ice Fishing Demonstration, Snowshoeing, Bird Feeder Crafts

12:30 pm Guided Hike

1:30 pm Winter Weather Talk with Nick Stefano

2:15 pm Story Time, Sing-Along, Cookies & Cocoa by the Fire

Snow Date for the Winter Festival is Sunday, January 31 from 12 pm to 3 pm. We will post an update on this page and on Facebook if there is a need to postpone to the snow date. Happy Winter!  

Please Renew Your Friends of High Point State Park Membership in 2016! Thank you and we hope to see you on the mountain!

Thanks for Stopping By Open Hearth!

Thank you to everyone who came up the mountain and joined us for our 2015 Open Hearth Day. 

Welcome Table 2015 Open Hearth

We greatly appreciate your support and attendance. Photos from the day are available for viewing from our photos page or by clicking here.

2015 Open Heath Fire - Thank You Pleasant Acres Farm Campground!

A special thank you to Pleasant Acres Farm Campground for generously providing the firewood for Open Hearth this year! Take a moment and visit their website to discover all the fun they have to offer in our backyard, www.pleasantacres.com.

We also thank all the volunteers who contributed their time, energy, and hearts to presenting Open Hearth. 

2015 Open Hearth. Three of our wonderful talented chefs!

A Happy Birthday to Bob our Fire Master. Thank you for spending your day with us and passing on your knowledge.

2015 Open Hearth. Bob our Fire Master!

Remember that High Point State Park is open year round. Winter is a magical time of year on the mountain.

Save the Date in 2016... 

Please join us for our 2016 Winter Festival!

Three Snowman. Art Credit Kaitlyn Straway.

2016 Winter Festival

HPSP Interpretive Center

Saturday, January 30, 2016

(Snowdate Sunday, Jan. 31)

12 pm to 3 pm

Free*

*$5 donation per family appreciated

See you on the mountain again soon!

Autumn is the Season of Bounty...

Please join us on the mountain this autumn!

Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration

HPSP Interpretive Center

Saturday, October 24, 2015

11 am to 3 pm

Rain or Shine

FREE*

* Suggested $5 donation per family is appreciated.

 

Autumn is the season of bountiful harvests. Come watch the Friends of High Point State Park prepare a seasonal feast on the open hearth. 

Enjoy sample tastings of soups, meats, sides, and desserts that have all been cooked fireside. Seasonal activities for children will be offered.

 We hope to see you on the mountain!

Autumn is in the Air

ATTENTION: FALL FOLIAGE BICYCLE RIDE CANCELED

Due to the rain and wind forecasted for this weekend, the Friends of High Point State Park Fall Foliage Bicycle Ride that was scheduled for Saturday, October 3, has been canceled. 

No rain date is scheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience. Visitors are welcome to come up to the park and enjoy the fall foliage on their own. Park maps and suggested routes may be obtained by visiting the HPSP Office. Thank you!  

Fall Foliage Bicycle Ride

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Meet at the Winter Parking Lot
11 am - 1:30 pm

Free*

Come enjoy the beauty of fall at High Point State Park!

Bring your own bicycle for a lovely ride to view the autumn foliage. We will meet at the Winter Parking Lot and set off from there onto Park Ridge Road. Along the way, we will make a few short stops at points of interest and enjoy a picnic lunch.

The ride is suitable for ages 14 and older. Helmets are required for all bicycle riders. Please bring your own bicycle, helmet, bag lunch, and water. 

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.

The event is free, but a suggested donation of $5 per participant is appreciated. 

For additional information, please call 973-702-0488.

Save the date for our upcoming fall finale event!

Open Hearth Cooking

HPSP Interpretive Center

Saturday, October 24

11 am - 3 pm

Free*

*Suggested donation of $5 per family appreciated.

Join the Friends of High Point State Park for a demonstration of open hearth cooking on the Interpretive Center fireplace. Autumn is the season of bountiful harvests and the air will be filled with the aromas of pumpkin and apple. Enjoy a sample tasting of delectable soups, meats, and desserts all cooked fireside. Seasonal crafts for children. Refreshments available.

 

See you on the mountain!