Friends of Rahway River Parkway

06/13/2026

A couple months ago, we received an email from Melissa of Strawberry Basil Bakery, who shared that her son, Julien, makes homemade organic dog treats and will be participating as a vendor at the Spring Craft Fair hosted by the Ladies Division at the Deutscher Club in Clark. In her message, Melissa wrote, "He would LOVE to give 20% of his profits to your wonderful organization." Needless to say, our hearts melted.

We were both surprised and incredibly grateful for Julien's generosity, and we were stoked he chose Friends of Rahway River Parkway as the recipient of his donation. Even better, his delicious dog treats were a huge hit at the event!

Just recently, our President and fellow dog lover, Kathy Cevallos, had the pleasure of meeting Melissa and Julien to receive the proceeds from the Spring Vendor Fair. Seeing a young entrepreneur use his talents to support our mission is truly inspiring.

We cannot thank Julien, Melissa, and Strawberry Basil Bakery enough for their kindness and support. Acts like these may seem small, but they make a tremendous impact and remind us how fortunate we are to be part of such a caring community.🥰

Be sure to follow Strawberry Basil Bakery and see what Julien is up to next, you'll be supporting a talented young baker with a big heart (and your pups will thank you, too)! 🐾❤️

06/12/2026

Yesterday, we were joined by an incredible team of volunteers from BNY for a day of service at Rahway River Park. 🌳

Volunteers from BNY offices throughout the New York Metro area joined us for a park cleanup. After keeping a close watch on the forecast, we were thrilled that the weather cooperated and allowed the cleanup to move forward as planned.☀️

Armed with supplies provided through Union County Parks & Recreation's Adopt-a-Park Program, Emily and her team of 15 BNY volunteers spread out across the park to remove litter and recyclables. ♻️

Together, we collected 11 bags of trash and 8 bags of commingled recyclables. From plastic bottles and cans to food wrappers and other discarded items, every piece removed helps create a cleaner, healthier environment for park visitors and local wildlife. 🦆

A heartfelt thank you to Emily and the BNY team for joining us for a third consecutive year!! Their dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to community service continue to make a meaningful impact. We are grateful for their support and look forward to strengthening this partnership through future park cleanups and stewardship projects.💚

A company day of service is a great way to give back! Let us know if you'd like to organize a day with your company peers!🌳

📸 by David Williams

05/28/2026

Learn about the impactful trip Frederick Law Olmsted took to Birkenhead Park. Read all about it, link below.

in 1850, Frederick Law Olmsted visited Birkenhead Park—Britain's first park designed specifically for the whole public, supported by public funds for the free enjoyment of all people. Olmsted's future career and design philosophy were profoundly impacted by this visit to what he dubbed "The People's Garden."

Read more about about Olmsted's trip to Birkenhead in this blog by Marie Le Devehat of the Wirral Council, which oversees Birkenhead Park: https://ow.ly/GUgl50Z4Hfs

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the brave servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, our freedoms, and the rights we hold dear. 🇺🇸

Did you know that at Rahway River Park, a special piece of local history stands as a lasting tribute to that sacrifice? On May 30, 1947, the Memorial Grove, composed of 58 pin oaks, was dedicated in honor of the 58 Rahway servicemen who lost their lives during World War II.

Not so long ago, the memorial was thoughtfully restored by the Union County Office of Veteran Services and the County of Union. As part of the restoration, 24 new trees were planted to replace those lost over time, helping preserve the grove for future generations.

When visiting Rahway River Park, stop at the memorial rock with a plaque listing the names of fallen soldiers. In addition, each memorial tree has the soldier's name and QR code for more information.

As we gather with family and friends this holiday weekend, may we also take a moment to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of those who gave everything in service to our nation. ❤️🤍💙

05/20/2026

It's feeling like that kinda weather!!! Enjoy! 🌳🌳🌳

Photo by Mary Humphries, Rahway River

05/10/2026

🌸🌳🌸🌳🌸

04/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out on Sunday for our Earth Day Community Park Clean-Up at Rahway River Park!🌎

While we had to shift plans due to Saturday’s weather, we were glad to see such a great group join us for our rain date, and even enjoy some much-needed sunshine.

A special thank you to the team from Amazon’s EWR location for coming out and supporting us once again. It means a lot to have your continued partnership and dedication to keeping our parks clean and beautiful.🌳

Together, we collected 12 bags of trash and made a real impact. We’re also grateful to everyone who stopped by our table to learn more about our organization.🌿
💚

04/27/2026

Not too late to celebrate the legacy and birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted, widely regarded as the father of landscape architecture in the United States.🌳

Olmsted believed that parks were more than just beautiful spaces; they were essential to public health, community connection, and the well-being of everyday people. At a time of rapid industrial growth, he envisioned green spaces as democratic places where people of all backgrounds could gather, breathe fresh air, and reconnect with nature.

His influence can be seen across some of the most iconic landscapes in the country, including:

🌳Central Park in New York City
🌳Prospect Park in Brooklyn
🌳The Emerald Necklace in Boston
🌳U.S. Capitol Grounds in Washington, D.C.
🌳Biltmore Estate in North Carolina

Right here in Union County, we are fortunate to experience that legacy firsthand. The Olmsted firm was hired to design our local parks, helping to shape the natural beauty and thoughtful layout of the Rahway River Parkway and other surrounding green spaces. Their work reflects the same principles Olmsted championed, preserving natural landscapes, enhancing scenic beauty, and creating spaces that serve both people and the environment.

Today, as we walk our trails, gather in open fields, and enjoy the peace of our parks, we are benefiting from a vision set in motion over a century ago.🌳

Happy Birthday, Frederick L. Olmsted!