Author Topic: 4/25/04 PADDLE FOR OPEN SPACE - Riverkeeper  (Read 6018 times)

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4/25/04 PADDLE FOR OPEN SPACE - Riverkeeper
« on: March 23, 2004, 11:04:06 PM »
PADDLE FOR OPEN SPACE

Celebration and Paddle for Open Space
Sunday, April 25 at Historic New Bridge Landing

Preparations are proceeding apace for riverside event.  
 
River Edge, NJ – Members of the press are invited to attend what may very well be Bergen County’s biggest Earth Week event. Sponsored jointly by Bergen Save the Watershed Action Network (Bergen SWAN) and Hackensack Riverkeeper, the Celebration and Paddle for Open Space will highlight some of our county and state’s past, present and future open space victories. The event takes place this Sunday, April 25 from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM.

Weather permitting, Governor McGreevey (invited), NJDEP Commissioner Brad Campbell (invited), County Executive Dennis McNerney, Freeholder Chairwoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk and other elected officials will join Hackensack Riverkeeper Capt. Bill Sheehan and the Co-Directors of Bergen Save the Watershed Action Network, Mark Becker and Lori Charkey in lauding the following:

- The passage of the Bergen County Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust which was made permanent by county voters last November.

- New Jersey’s Phase Two Stormwater Regulations; which were adopted earlier this year and recently survived a court challenge by the NJ Builders Association.

- The inclusion of the upper reaches of the Hackensack River watershed as Category One Waterways – the highest level of protection available to freshwater resources.

In addition to environmental presentations and speeches, the Celebration and Paddle for Open Space will feature live bluegrass and Celtic music by New Jersey’s own Hotfootin’ Band (Lew Gelford, Rich Rainey and Loretta Myers).  Door prizes and free, wholesome snacks will also be a part of this family-friendly event.

At 11:00 AM, NJDEP Parks and Forestry interpreter, Sue Shutte, will lead a pre-event guided tour of the historic grounds at New Bridge Landing. The Campbell-Christie House, the Demarest House and the Steuben House will also open their doors at 11:00 AM, staffed by docents in colonial dress.

 At 1:30 PM, the day’s “main event” will take place when a large number of people will embark on the celebratory paddle. Over thirty canoes and kayaks are expected to take part in the trip, led by Captain Bill Sheehan and noted Bergen County historian Timothy Adriance. The trip leaders will take turns sharing their knowledge of the ecology and history of the middle reaches of the Hackensack River.

Historic New Bridge Landing is located at the confluence of the Hackensack River and Coles Brook; street address: 1209 Main St., River Edge, NJ. The canoe/kayak trip will leave from and return to Foschini Park, located on the river at end of Camden St., Hackensack, NJ.

Please contact the organizers to discuss the particulars of the event or the opportunities available for video and still photography.

Press kits will be available at the Hackensack Riverkeeper and Bergen SWAN booths the day of the event.
« Last Edit: April 20, 2004, 10:07:24 PM by Editor »



 

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