Amphitheatre Garden, September 2023

Come Celebrate Fall with Us!

Sunday, October 15, 11 am - 3 pm

Join us for this fun, family-friendly autumn festival! The day’s activities will include:

• Games, crafts, activities, story trail, and chalk maze
• Pumpkin patch and spooky trail (children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes!)
• Meet the goats grazing in our glacial bowl!
• Tenafly Nature Center presentation in the Amphitheater
• Wisner House Art Exhibition, “Nature on the Move: Rhythmic Abstractions" by Jesús Núñez
• Photo opportunities throughout the gardens
• Market and food vendors for fall treats…and more!
• NEW! Bring a pantry donation for GRACE Food Pantry of Summit! (Check our website for a list of requested items.)

RRA Members and children under 3 are free; Non-members $10/person.

SPECIAL THANKS to our sponsors!

Title Sponsor / LEES PECK GROUP

Gold Sponsors / Infantini Landscaping, Douglas VW of Summit

Silver Sponsor / Java's Compost

Bronze Sponsor / The Farm at Green Village

Click on program titles for more information and to register.

Registration is required unless otherwise noted.

SPECIAL GARDEN TOUR! Early Autumn Walkabout with John Beirne

Thursday, September 21, 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Enjoy a leisurely stroll throughout the early autumn gardens and meadows of Reeves-Reed Arboretum with John Beirne, Curatorial Director of Horticulture. We'll learn about some of our most beautiful and hard-working plants as they reach maturity and peak bloom, and look for some early hints of autumn color within our extensive collection of trees and shrubs.

NEW! Fall Awakening Workshop: Embracing the Healing Power of Nature

Sunday, September 24, 2 - 4 pm

This 2-hour workshop offers a guided lower chakra meditation, a powerful Reiki healing circle, and more. Participants will receive a candle infused with Reiki energy and crystals, specially crafted to balance your lower chakras.

Full Moon Hike

Thursday, September 28, 7 - 7:30 pm

Take some time to refresh with a relaxing stroll through the woodland trails under the moonlight. You’ll have the unique opportunity to take in the beauty and peace of the Arboretum at night as we learn about the full moon and other interesting nighttime facts.

NEW TOPICS! Fall in Love with Trees

Thursdays, 6:30 - 8 pm

In partnership with the City of Summit’s Shade Tree Advisory Committee, we will present three powerful programs in our returning series Fall In Love With Trees. These FREE programs are offered onsite and virtually.

Added bonus: Attend an onsite event and receive a free 6-month individual Arboretum membership! (Adults only. One per person.)

10/5 - Saving Our Beech Trees - Presented by John Beirne, RRA Curatorial Director of Horticulture

10/19 - Eco-Action TikTok Viewing Party - Join us as we celebrate awesome video creations from our community's teens! These young creators will show us what eco-action means to them and share their vision of a cleaner, greener world. Pizza will be served! Know a teen who would like to enter? Visit cityofsummit.org/stac.

11/2 - Trees in a Changing Climate: A Homeowner's Guide - Presented by Guy Sternberg, Founder & Owner of Starhill Forest Arboretum

Forest Bathing

Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, November 12, 9:30 am - 12 pm

Thursday, December 21 (Winter Solstice), 1 - 3:30 pm

Take a meditative walk with Forest Therapy Guide, Rich Collins. These walks draw on the latest developments in the field of nature connection, and ancient traditions of mindfulness and wellness promotion.

OKTOBERFEST 2023!

Saturday, October 21, 2 - 6 pm

Registration is open for our annual Put the 'PUB' in Public Garden fundraiser featuring all you can eat and drink, lawn games, and live music. Join us in the 'biergarten' for this fun afternoon. Oktoberfest attire is highly encouraged! For adults 21+.

Four Centuries in a Weekend

Sunday, October 22, 10 am - 4 pm

Four Centuries in a Weekend is a Union County tradition that enables residents and visitors to travel through time and learn about the rich history of our community. This county-wide event showcases more than thirty historic sites, including the Arboretum, featuring tours, exhibits, and special events. Registration not required.

The Secret Tea Room

Cream Tea, Wednesdays, seatings at 11:30 am and 1 pm

Afternoon Tea, select Sundays, seatings at 11:30 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm (Families).

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Bombay Tea Room, Sunday, October 8

Chai Workshop, Saturday, October 28

Free Saturday Garden Tours

Saturdays now through October 7, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm

Tours last approximately 45 minutes and begin at the Visitors Center. No reservations are required and tours are on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals to learn about the season's highlights. No groups. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. PLEASE NOTE: On days of excessive heat, tours may be canceled.

RECURRING FALL CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

Click here and check our website for program details.

• Homeschool Adventures – Fridays 1-2:30 pm, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27
• Oaks & Acorns – Wednesday 1-2pm, 10/4
• Arboretum Afternoons – Thursdays 4-5pm, 9/21 - 11/2
• NEW! Little Wonders – Mondays 10-11am (programs full)
• Let’s Get Growing – Saturdays 9:30-11:30am, 10/7, 11/4
• Kids Can Cook – (programs full)

NEW! Friday Fun with Bold POP!

Fridays beginning September 22, 4 - 5:30 pm, K-5th grade

Join BOLD Arts for a creative dance and music experience inspired by nature and the beautiful surroundings at Reeves-Reed Arboretum. This 7-week program will culminate in an exciting performance created by the children. Don’t miss out on this creative after-school experience for boys and girls. Register early as space is limited!

ADDED! Campfire Friends

Friday, October 6, 7 - 8 pm

Join us for a night of fun around the campfire with stories, songs, games, interesting nighttime facts, and s’mores!

Discovery Weekends

Saturdays & Sundays, 9 am - 3 pm, through November 12

Drop by the Stackhouse Education Center for this self-guided program for families with children ages 3+. No registration required. Borrow one of our magnifying glasses, grab an interactive activity guide, and head out onto the grounds to see what wonders big and small await. There will be a surprise or two, a clue to follow, a rhyme or riddle to solve, and always a fun nature exploration activity. Each week is a new discovery!

Stackhouse Education Library

Tuesday - Sunday, 9 am - 2 pm

Our browsing library of nature-inspired children's books is open this fall. After hiking our trails and visiting the gardens, visit our browsing library to read a book or complete a puzzle. No registration required.

NATURE ON THE MOVE:

Rhythmic Abstractions by Jesús Núñez

September 23 through November 19

Artist's Reception / Meet and Greet, Sunday, November 5

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Arboretum’s lush landscapes, this captivating showcase of abstract art will transport visitors into a realm where artistic imagination intertwines seamlessly with the beauty of the outdoors.

All artwork is for sale and Jesús Núñez will generously donate 30% of sales back to the Arboretum.  Click here to learn more about the artist and this exhibit.

Registration is required for all volunteer opportunities.

 Click on the titles below for more information.

For questions or to register, email Trish Cassin here.

Help us Renovate our Hoophouse!

Sundays, 2 - 4 pm

If you enjoy renovations help us transform our hoophouse into a working greenhouse! Tasks will include leveling the floor, wheelbarrowing gravel, digging a trench for a new electric line, installing new end walls, fans, and more!

Ground Force (ages 14+, 12-13 w/an adult)

Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 am - 12 pm

Join our staff outdoors to maintain and enhance the beauty of our grounds.

Woodland Restoration (ages 14+, 12-13 w/an adult)

Fridays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Help restore existing trails, plant native trees, remove invasives, and more!

SHARING OUR HARVEST!

We were thrilled to be able to harvest many of the herbs and tomatoes from our Square Foot Children's Garden with the help of our Let's Get Growing, Kids! participants and donate them to GRACE. The fresh herbs and produce were added to the wholesome and healthy meals GRACE provides every week for those in need. There should be plenty more to share from the garden later this month. To learn more about GRACE, click here.

THE GOATS ARE COMING!

Our grazing friends will be back at the Arboretum in October helping us clear away a year's worth of wildflower growth, invasive vines, and weeds. This environmentally friendly vegetation removal will allow for the annual restoration and replanting of the Daffodil Bowl. Your generous donation of $25 will help sponsor a goat this fall. Click here to help send a goat to the Arboretum! 

NOTE: When finalizing your donation on our check-out page, please indicate in the Participant's Box that this donation is for the goats so you can receive your "Certificate of Good Goatsmanship"! 

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

@reevesreedarboretum

Programs and events at RRA are made possible, in part, by support from:

Lois Schneider Realtor; Bartlett Tree Experts; Infantini Landscaping; The Oldendorp Group; E.J. Grassmann Trust; Mary Reinhart Stackhouse Foundation; The Summit Foundation; Hyde & Watson Foundation; Union Foundation; Garden Clubs of America; Summit Garden Club; Junior League of Summit; NJ Historic Trust; Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust; Overlook Foundation; Investors Foundation; DEP/Green Acres Grant Program; Union County Board of County Commissioners, a division of the Department of State, through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks & Community Renewal.