State Park Service's Spring & Summer Calendar of Events Now Available

The State Park Service's Spring & Summer Calendar of Events is now available free of charge at all state parks, forests, recreation areas and historic sites throughout New Jersey. The 60-page booklet, which lists hundreds of events now through August, offers a wide variety of recreational and cultural activities for adults and children.

State Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Shinn said, "Our brochure provides visitors with valuable information on places to enjoy leisure activities such as historic site tours, fishing, swimming and hiking. Many of our dedicated volunteers and friends groups have organized these events to help make a visit to our parks a pleasant and fun experience. They also offer great family outings with something for everyone."

This year's calendar includes a wide variety of holiday events featuring activities for National Trails Day in June, and numerous Fourth of July festivities.

Additionally, state historic sites are hosting guided tours and events promoting New Jersey's role in the American Revolutionary War, including the annual reenactment of the Battle of Monmouth (June 23 & 24) and a summer-long American Revolution movie series at the Wallace House Interpretive Center and Washington Crossing State Park.

Outdoor recreation events include everything from campfire and junior naturalist's programs, to fly-fishing and gardening demonstrations. Hiking and birding opportunities are available weekly at various sites, and events planned especially for children are listed throughout the calendar.

A sampling of annual State Park Service programs and events include:

• Sedge Island Canoe and Kayak Tours
• Whitesbog Blueberry Festival, June 30th
• Swartswood State Park's Lake Ecology Kayak Tours
• Open Air Theater productions at Washington Crossing State Park, June, July, August
• Astronomy Programs at Jenny Jump State Forest
• New Jersey Botanical Garden's "Garden Saturdays"
• Allaire Storytelling Festival, September 9th
• Interpretive History Programs at Liberty State Park's Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, June, July, August

Free copies of the State Park Service's Spring & Summer Calendar of Events are available at all State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites. For a copy by mail, call 1-800-843-6420. Text telephone users can call NJ Relay Services at 1-800-852-7899. Media requests for a calendar of events can be made directly by calling 609-984-1423.

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