F A L L 2 0 1 6

C E L E B R A T I N G 7 5 Y E A R SO F

E N V I R O N M E N T A L E D U C A T I O N

A faci l i ty of the Union County Department of Parks & Recreation

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites you to visitTrailside Nature and Science Center to experience over 4,500square feet of interactive environmental exhibits. Take part in oneof the many unique and educational programs designed to sparkan appreciation of nature for both you and your child! Trailside’slocation in the scenic Watchung Reservation provides the perfectclassroom for fun while learning about the environment and thenatural world around us.

In order to accommodate everyone, please let usknow in advance if you or a member of your grouphas any special needs.

A note about the program fees: IC = Union County Resident OC = Out of County Resident

TRAILSIDE HOLIDAY HOURS

Operating Hours 12 - 5 p.m. on the following holidays:

Labor Day, September 5Columbus Day, October 10Election Day, November 8Veteran's Day, November 11

Trailside will be CLOSED on the following days:

Thanksgiving Recess, November 24 & 25Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, December 24, 25 & 26New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day, Dec. 31 & Jan. 1, 2

Tuesday, November 1 (Rain Date: Wednesday, November 2)

At Echo Lake Park in Mountainside/Westfield - lower lake off Springfield Avenue. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Admission: IC - $12 per family up to six (6) peopleOC - $16 per family up to six (6) people

**Limit 2 tickets/person**

Hours of operation are 12 - 5 p.m. daily.

Classes fill quickly, so please register soon, before theprograms you want are filled!

Tickets go on sale October 4.

Session I: 5:15-6:30 PM Session II: 6:45-8:00 PM Session III: 8:15-9:30 PM

Tickets will be sold for 3 time sessions:

Please note: Each family is limited to one jack-o-lanternwith a lid. Weight after carving may not exceed 8 pounds.**

**

THE GREAT PUMPKIN SAIL

On the night after Halloween, join us as we il luminateEcho Lake Park with a sea of jack-o-lanterns. We wil lp rov ide cand les , pumpk in f loat s , ho t choco la te ,marshmallows and entertainment around a campfire.

HAUNTED HAYRIDES OF THE DESERTED VILLAGE

October 21, 22 & 23Rides are scheduled every half hour

Friday, Saturday & Sunday: starting at 6:30 pm.

**Limit 8 tickets per person**Fee: $8 per person for Union County residents

$16 per person for nonTickets go on sale September 12See ticket sale information on previous

page for sale locations.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

T h r e e w a y s t o r e g i s t e r f o r w o r k s h o p s :

Checks made payable to “County of Union”

Trailside can accept Visa, MasterCard, AMEX & Discover in person. Credit card payments cannot be accepted over the phone or by mail.

Trailside reserves the right to cancel a program due to low enrollment or severe weather. In the event of cancellation, aTrailside credit will be issued.

Trailside credit will be issued ONLY if the program is cancelled by the registrant at least three (3) days in advance. Please call if yourchild cannot attend a program.

No refunds will be given for any program.

Please be prompt when dropping off or picking up your child.

Trailside reserves the right to remove a disruptive or inappropriatelyaged child from a program. If a child is removed from a program,no credit or refund will be offered.

Each class will spend some time outside, so please, dress your child appropriately for the weather. Long pants tucked into socksoffer protection from ticks.

F o r a g e s 6 & u p w i t h a d u l t .**Strollers cannot be accommodated.**Experience an entire village of hauntedhouses filled with ghosts who actuallylived and died there. Fifty visitors at atime will take a 25 minute hayride aroundthe 130 acre grounds of this National-Register listed historic site. The ghost ofDavid Felt, who built this former mill town

Register online at www.ucnj.org/trailside and click

the Online Registration tab.

Register in-person 12:00 - 4:45 pm daily at trailside.

Register by mail.

in 1845, will briefly explain the history of the site. As Mr. Felt tells storiesof mystery and tragedy from the Deserted Village’s past, the storiescome to life. Visitors will then take a short walk on a footpath in thedarkened forest to the village’s Revolutionary War era cemetery and learn of those buried there.

The total program length is about one hour.

Tickets are sold for rides at specific times as noted on your ticket.Ticket holders arriving late may not be accommodated.Late arrivals may be placed on later rides if space allows.

Please bring a flashlight and dress accordingly.

TODDLER TIME

Sensory hikes, stories, crafts and activities to acquaint adultsand children with the natural world. Dress for outdoors.

BRING:WHO:

WHEN:MEET: DRESS: FEE:

A baby carrier or sling; strollers are not recommendedAdult with child/children up to three years of age.Older children will not be permitted to attend. Maximum 4/family per class. Pre register. Thursdays or Fridays 10:00-11:00 AM Trailside Visitor CenterAppropriately for the weather; if possible, we will go outside.Per class: IC $10/family OC $12/family

Fall Foods - Many trees and plants produce nuts andberries in the fall that are eaten by animals. Compare thedifferent shapes, sizes, colors and textures of these fallfoods and find out who is eating them.

Life on a Log - Dead logs in the forest are essentialfor many plants and animals. They provide food, moistureand protection from the sun, wind and rain. Have funsearching for slugs, millipedes, beetles and other smallanimals that spend their lives on alog or under it.

TICKET SALES IN THREE LOCATIONS!

HAYRIDES & CAMPFIRESHAUNTED HAYRIDES GREAT PUMPKIN SAIL

HAYRIDES & CAMPFIRES

Enjoy a hayride, roast marshmallows and sip hot chocolatearound a campfire to the sound of a folk singer.

Animal Detectives - Sometimes we don’t see the animals,but we know that they have been visiting by the signsthey leave behind. Enjoy a short walk searching for animaltracks, feathers and buck rubs.

Going on a Bear Hike - Bring your teddy bear and learnsome bear facts. Do black bears live in the WatchungReservation? What do they eat? Where do they go inwinter? Make a special bear craft to take home.

Din-o-mite! - Learn interesting facts about T-Rex, Stegosaurus and Triceratops. Become a paleontologistfor the day and hunt for dinosaur bones. Discover whatlife was like when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Whooo are yoooou? - Learn all about the differentkinds of owls that live around Trailside. See owl feathersand talons. Discover how these birds have specialadaptations that help them survive.

Oct. 13or 14

Oct. 6or 7

Oct. 20or 21

Oct. 27or 28

Ticket Sale

Information

Visit one of our three Union CountyParks & Recreation locations:

10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, (908) 527-4900M-F: 8:30 AM 4:00 PM

300 North Avenue East in Westfield, (908) 654-9805M-F: 8:30 AM 4:00 PM / Th: 8:30 AM 6:30 PM

Trailside Nature and Science Center, (908) 789-3670452 New Providence Road in Mountainside,Daily (including weekends), Noon 4:45 PM.

Tickets generally sell out very quickly, are nonrefundableand nonexchangeable. No group sales please.

Tickets go on sale September 6No tickets will be sold at the rides.

Limit of 15 tickets per person.For information on booking a privatehayride for scouts or groups exceeding15 people, please call (908)527-4900.

Fridays, Beginning at 6:30 PMSeptember 16 & 30 at Warinanco Park in Elizabeth

October 7 & 14 at Watchung Reservation in Mountainside(participants must check in by 8 pm)

Special Day & Time: Sunday, October 2; 3:30-6:30 pm(participants must check in by 5 pm)

Fee: IC-$6/person OC-$12/person

Nov. 10or 11

Nov. 3or 4

MINERAL, GEM & JEWELRY SHOW

HOLIDAY NATURE CRAFT SHOW

Toddler Time continued…

TWO OF US

WHO:

WHEN:FEE:

Nov. 17or 18

Turkey Trail - Hike a trail where wild turkeys may beseen and find out why they live here. Look for areaswhere turkey have scratched for food or roosted ona branch. Make a turkey craft to take home!

D e c . 1 & 2 A n i m a l A t t i r e -Each animal has a special suit of clothesthat’s just right. Learn about feathers,scales, and fur as we take a walk around the visitor center looking foranimals in the exhibits. We may evenmeet some live animals.

Softly Falling Snowflakes - Forecast the weatherconditions necessary for snow. Participate in a snowflakehunt and make a snowflake craft to take home.

Dec. 8or 9

Fall Fun - Hike around the reservation to see thechanges that occur dur ing fal l . Look for animalspreparing for winter, f ind out where some birds goand search for fall colors along the way.

Creepy Crawlies - Visit the forest and look for thesmall animals that live under rocks, leaves and logs. Findout how they move, what they eat and how they helpthe environment.

An interactive program encouraging nature discoverythrough hikes and other indoor/outdoor activities.

3 or 4 year old child with an adult. Pre-register.Younger and older children wil l not be permittedto attend this program.

Tuesday, 1:30-2:30 PM or Wednesday, 10:00-11:00 AM

Per class: IC - $10/child & adult OC - $12/child & adult

Oct. 4or 5

Oct. 11or 12

Saturday & SundayNovember 5 & 6, Noon - 5 PM

Over 20 vendors selling minerals, rocks, gems, jewelry andfossils from around the world! Demonstrations of gemstonecutting & polishing. Bring your collectibles from home tohave a geologist identify your minerals, rocks and fossils.Educational rock and mineral displays. Children’s activities fossilrubbings, puzzles, touch table.

Sunday, December 4

11 AM - 5 PMA d m i s s i o n : A n i t e m o f d r y o r c a n n e d f o o d o r a n e w ,u n w r a p p e d t o y f o r l o c a l c h a r i t i e s .

Usher in this festive season atUnion County’s Tree & MenorahLighting Ceremony. Enjoy a visitfrom Santa, caroling and more.

The Trailside Visitor Center will bepacked with wonderful, unique,handmade crafts and gift itemsfor sale. All crafts are made ofnatural materials or have a naturetheme.

Featur ing: Charity Drive, Menorah, Tree Light ing& Tree Decorating Contest

Two of Us continued... SPECIAL EVENTS

35th ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL

Admission: $4/person, children ages 7 & under freeFees are charged for some activities

FOUR CENTURIES IN A WEEKEND AT THE DESERTED VILLAGE

Admission: Free

Guided tours: 2 PM each day with

“The Ghost of David Felt”

Turkey Time - There are wild turkeys lurking in the woods,but they’re usually wary enough to stay hidden. Learnwhat turkeys sound like and find out how it was almostour national bird.

Oct. 18or 19

Oct. 25or 26

Nov. 1or 2

Nov. 8or 9

Nov. 15or 16

Feather, Fur & Scales - Animal suits are made of differentmaterials. Learn all about mammals, birds, reptiles andamphibians. Discover how Trailside’s animal neighborsdress for the season.

Nov. 29or 30

Snowflakes - Discover how plants and animals dependon snow to survive. Learn some interesting snow facts, practicea snowman fingerplay story to share with your family andcreate a snow scene to take home.

Dec. 6or 7

Bear Necessities - New Jersey has only one type ofbear, the black bear. Find out how black bears live andwhat they eat. Bring your teddy bear on a walk to look forblack bear snacks and hiding places.

Who’s Been Here? - Be an animal detective! Learn touse your eyes to look for and identify signs left behind byour animal neighbors. Use your ears to try to figure out whois making that sound.

Discover Dinosaurs - Learn about this popular groupof extinct animals by pretending to be a paleontologist.Search for “fossil” remains of dinosaurs and work togetherto reconstruct a dinosaur skeleton.

Prowling for Owls - Whooo knows about these nocturnalhunters? Learn about New Jersey’s owls and listen to theircalls. Hike to look for places where owls sleep, hunt and hide. Take a self guided walking tour of the

historic Deserted Village of Feltville atany time during the two day period.Learn the history of this local treasure,take a hayride, see a demonstrationof apple cider pressing, fashionedgames, talk to an archaeologist,

see a display of various artifacts recovered during excavations around the site andwander through the renovated Masker’sBarn carriage house. Meet the ghost ofDavid Felt in his general store and hear fromhim how he built and ran his quasi-Utopianmill town of Feltville in the mid-1800’s.

Celebrate America’s heritage at the County’s annual HarvestFestival. Visitors will see demonstrations of how early Americanslived and performed daily tasks. Activities planned for theentire family include:

Saturday, October 15, 10 AM - 5 PM Sunday, October 16, Noon - 5 PM

Sunday, September 25, 11 AM - 5 PM

• Live Music • Colonial & Native AmericanCrafts • Farmer’s Market • Revolutionary WarEncampment • Children’s Crafts • PumpkinPatch • Sales & Demonstrations • Petting Zoo• Pony Rides • Build a Scarecrow • Entertainment& Exhibits and more...

STORY TIMES a t u r d a y s 3 : 0 0 P M

Meet: Trailside Visitor Center. Lower Level.Donations appreciated.

S M A L L F R Y D A Y S

WHO:

WHEN:FEE:

Join Members of Amateur Astronomers, Inc. (AAI) fromSperry Observatory in Cranford for an evening of stargazingand presentations on the night sky. Learn how to findconstellations using the Big Dipper as a guide and gooutside (weather permitting) to view the night sky.

Pre-registration is preferred.Fee: Free. Donations welcomed. Dress appropriately for the weather.

STAR PARTY

S a t u r d a y , N o v e m b e r 1 9 7 : 0 0 P M - 9 : 0 0 P M

A drop off program to foster awareness and appreciation ofthe natural world through nature hikes, exploration andactivities. Dress for outdoors.

4-6 year olds. Preregister.Younger and older childrenwill not be permitted to attend this program. Pleasesee Saturday Outdoor Adventures.

Tuesdays, 9:45-11:00 AM or Wednesdays, 1:15-2:30 PM Per class: IC-$10/child OC-$12/child

Fall Frolic - Learn how animals like chipmunks, grasshoppersand deer are preparing for winter. Find out where somebirds go for the cold winter months, discover why squirrelsare collecting so many nuts and have fun investigating theexciting season of fall!

Oct. 4or 5

Nature’s Recyclers - Have fun searching for slugs, millipedes, beetles and other minibeasts under logs, leavesand rocks. Find out how slugs, ants, beetles and worms recycle nutrients and help our forests stay healthy.

Oct. 11or 12

Animal Clue Scavenger Hunt - Take a walk outsidein search of buck rubs, animal tracks, nibbled twigs andother signs that tell us our animal neighbors have been by.

Oct. 18or 19

Bear Facts - Learn about New Jersey’s only type ofbear, the black bear. Discover how bears live, what theyeat and if they visit the Watchung Reservation. See a blackbear skull, feel a pelt and get an up close look at a beartrack cast.

Oct. 25or 26

Digging Up Dinosaurs - Discover interesting facts aboutdinosaurs and learn what it takes to become a paleontologist.Work as a team to search for and assemble dinosaur “bones.”

Nov. 1or 2

The Big Dipper: Guide to the Sky

SHARING THE WORLD WITH RAPTORSS a t u r d a y , N o v e m b e r 1 9 2 : 0 0 P M - 3 : 0 0 P M

Meet a live raptor in this informative andengaging presentation by an educatorfrom the Raptor Trust. Learn what raptorsare, and discover the different adaptationsthat these fascinating predatory birds useas daytime and night time hungers. Youwill get to know some of the species ofhawks and owls that are common residentsin New Jersey and find out how importantthey are to the natural world that theyall share. High School Students Welcome Fee: Free - Donations Welcome

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Small Fry Days Continued…

Owl Prowlin’ - Learn about New Jersey’s native screech,barred and great horned owls. See owl feathers and talonsand discover how these birds are adapted for night life.

Turkey Tales - Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the turkey our national bird. Gobble up some more fun facts,do the turkey strut and make a colorful turkey to take home.

Animal Clothing – Different animals have a special suitof clothes that’s just right for it. Birds have feathers, snakeshave scales and foxes have fur. Learn about the localwildlife and take a walk to see how the animals are dressedfor the weather.

Snow Fun – Snow is pretty to look at, fun to play in, andhas an important role in nature. Learn interesting snowfacts, go on a snowflake scavenger hunt and create yourown snow scene to take home.

Nov. 8or 9

Nov. 15or 16

Nov. 29or 30

Dec. 6or 7

Flower ArrangingThursday, November 10 7:00 – 8:00 PMDress your holiday table with beauty.Watch as Kurt Christoffers, floral designerand owner of the innovative ChristoffersFlowers of Mountainside, demonstrateshow to arrange a centerpiece usingnature’s best harvest. Relax as you watchKurt masterfully design an artistic piece.Floral material and a container will beprovided. Bring: Your own shears orclippers if you have them. Then createyour own unique arrangement to takehome. Fee: $25/IC, $30/OC.

Encounter with PlutoS a t u r d a y , N o v e m b e r 1 2 2 : 0 0 - 3 : 0 0 P MThe popular lecturer and NASA Solar System Ambassador Paul Cirilloreturns to Trailside engaging us with this fascinating subject. Learnhow each of our Solar System’s planets was discovered. The lecturewill highlight Pluto, a place never before visited or explored untilnow. Cirillo presents an engaging presentation about New Horizons,NASA’s mission to the far reaches of our solar system that flew pastPluto. See amazing photos and learn about the surpris ingdiscoveries made about this dwarf planet and its moons.High School Students Welcome. Fee: Free. Donations Welcome

Teacher Training: Project WILDT h u r s d a y , D e c e m b e r 8 9 : 0 0 A M – 3 : 0 0 P M Whether you are a formal or a non-formal educator, Project WILDcan assist you in teaching math, science, social studies, literacy andart to any grade level. You will acquire new teaching skills andpractices that translate into more effective teaching. Prepare toget WILD in the classroom through a multitude of interdisciplinary,hands-on and educational activities, teacher tested and classroomready for K-12 students. Project WILD lessons are correlated to NJCore Curriculum Content Standards. Participants receive six(6) NJDOE credits. Morning refreshments served. Bring: Lunch.Fee: $20 /IC or OC.

Curriculum guide included in fee. This program will spend sometime outside, so please dress appropriately for the weather.

ADULT WORKSHOPS GRADE SCHOOL PROGRAMAFTERSCHOOL EXPLORATIONS

A drop-off program designed to acquaint your child with natureexplorations, hikes and outdoor activities.

WHO: 1st - 3rd graders. Pre-register.WHEN: Thursdays, 3:30-4:45 PMFEE: Per class: IC - $10/child OC - $12/child

Hiking 101 - Discover the preparations, precautions andthe do’s and don’ts of hiking. Learn to use a trail map,read trail blazes and lead the group down a marked trail.

Oct. 6

Salamander Search - These elusive amphibiansusually hide in wet areas, under rocks and logs. Learn how tosafely and carefully catch, identify and release our littlelocal friends. Wear shoes that can get wet.

Oct. 13

Bats in the Belfry - Bats are very interesting creatures.Discover how they live and why they are important to natureand people alike.

Oct. 20

Tracking Wildlife - Identify the tracks of eight differentanimals that live in the Watchung Reservation. Discoverthe best places to look for tracks and investigate the trailsto figure out which wildlife species have been “hiking”around Trailside.

Oct. 27

Minibeasts - Beneath the brush, rocks and logs livecentipedes, millipedes, sowbugs and ants. Collect, identifyand release these critters and discover how they help keepthe forest clean.

Nov. 3

Oh, Deer! - Learn about Watchung Reservation’s largestyear-round residents, the white-tailed deer. Have a hands-onexperience with fur and antlers and search the trails forsigns of deer.

Nov. 10

B a c k y a r d H a b i t a t - A n E n v i r o n m e n t a l l yS e n s i t i v e A p p r o a c h t o y o u r B a c k y a r d S a t u r d a y , O c t o b e r 8Learn what is happening to thebalance of nature and how youcan restore it in your yard. Thelecture will be enhanced by apowerpoint presentation and avisit to Trailside’s own backyardhabitat. Participants will learn theimportance of birds and the rolethat insects play in the well beingof these creatures. The presentationwill explain why a well kept lawnis really a desert, and what youcan do to create a healthy corridorfor wildlife.

High School Students WelcomeFee: Free

2 : 0 0 - 3 : 3 0 P M

Afterschool Explorations continued…

Nov. 17

Dec. 1

Dec. 8

FAMILY PROGRAMS

SATURDAY OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Oct. 1

Oct. 15

Nov. 19

Dec. 10

Behind the Scenes - Learn what it takes to care forTrailside’s resident animals. Meet frogs, snakes, turtles andfish up close while learning about their care, behaviorand feeding habits.

Radical Reptiles - Investigate the similarities and differencesof reptiles. Hold turtle shells and feel a shed skin from a snake.Learn the difference between a land tortoise and a waterturtle. Then meet live snakes and turtles from Trailside’scollection.

Prepare for Winter! - Discover how some of Trailside’sresident plants and animals deal with winter. Learn howdeep snow can actually help in winter survival and gooutside in search of winter animal homes, hideouts and food.

Families with children of all ages are invited to take part in themehikes/nature related talks. Programs last about 45 minutes. Dressappropriately for the program and the weather. For scoutprograms, please see our group brochure. Donations appreciated.

Fall Seasonal Walk - Hike a colored coded trail toexplore the rainbow of fall colors. Search the forest forshades of red, orange, yellow, gold, rust and purple. Learn to identify trees by leaf shapes and colors. 2 PM.

Red Trail Ramble - Explore the Hilltop Swamp trail anddiscover the bounty of food available to wildlife at thistime of year. Scour the forest for animal tracks and signs.2 PM.

Lenape Lifestyles - Discover the Lenape Native Americanlifestyle and where they lived. Visit Trailside’s Lenape exhibitto learn about their lifestyles and take a walk to look forplants and trees the Lenape used to help cure colds,construct wigwams and build canoes. 10 AM.

Birding Basics - Observe the birds that visit Trailside’sBackyard Wildlife Habitat. Learn what kinds of food theyeat and how to identify common birds by sight and sound.Find out which birds will stay here through the cold wintermonths and which ones will migrate south for the winter. 2 PM.