JULY 2020
Groeger Steve and Jo Ann
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence
Cover photo by Benoit Cortet
An exclusive publication for the residents of Lawrence Township
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Financial Advisor Knox Grove Financial LLC. Jodi Viaud, Partner & Advisor Bill Stolow, Medicare Specialist 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100, Pennington, NJ 08534 609-216-7440 www.knoxgrovefinancial.com I Info@knoxgrove.com
Home Remodeling Lawrenceville Home Improvement James Russo - Owner 2821 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 0848 609-882-6709 lawrencevillehomeimp.com
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher: Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 or at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
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July 2020
Letter from the Publisher Publisher: Rachel Donington rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski cbialkowski@bestversionmedia.com Designer: Dale Ver Voort Contributing Photographer: Benoit Cortet www.benoitcortet.com Phone: 917-597-6297 benoit@benoitcortet.com Advertising Contact: Rachel Donington Phone: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com Feedback/Ideas/Submissions Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Deadlines for submissions are 25th of each month. Go to www. bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to rdonington@bestversionmedia.com. Content Submission Deadlines: Content Due: Edition Date: November 25.................................... January December 25.................................. February January 25............................................March February 25............................................ April March 25.................................................. May April 25...................................................June May 25......................................................July June 25............................................... August July 25.......................................... September August 25.........................................October September 25 ������������������������������ November October 25................................... December Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. ©2020 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Lawrence Neighbors publisher Rachel Donington: 609-462-6786 rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
Lawrence Neighbors
In times of crisis like we are experiencing now, meaningful connections can have even more resonance, giving us a fresh perspective or insight when we are feeling stressed or fearful and need it most. That is my intention with this month’s publication, to bring you a sliver of light during dark times, and to remind ourselves that there are still good things happening around us. In this edition of Lawrence Neighbors, we meet Jo Ann and Steve Groeger — fondly known as Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence — a delightful couple with a long history of devoted community service in Lawrence Township. Inspirational stories can always help to shift our energy and boost our mood. And let’s face it: everyone can use some words of inspiration during these very unique and difficult times. We hope these stories give you a little lift whenever you feel in need of some mental, emotional, or spiritual inspiration, and we encourage everyone to stay positive! Publisher: Rachel Donington, 609-462-6786 Many residents around town know Steve Groeger, one-half of the featured resident duo for this month, “Mr. Lawrence.” Steve and his wife, Jo Ann, have shown incredible, moving passion for the betterment of their community over the years, so this seems like a very fitting title. The story of how they met and what came after is as charming as it is inspiring; I hope you enjoy it, along with the other stories. Please stay safe and well. Content Coordinator: Catherine Bialkowski
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Expert Contributor
Growing with the Grove
Financial Advice from Our Family to Yours By Jodi Viaud, CFP® and Bill Stolow | Knox Grove Financial, LLC. Does this sound familiar? You are walking up the stairs to your front door. You have your keys ready in one hand, a bag of groceries in the other, and only 15 steps in front of you. You expect to get inside your home without incident, but then it happens, you drop your keys. You stop, reach down and pick them up and continue your journey. Suddenly, three steps later, it begins to rain unexpectedly. You pick up your pace and the bottom of your grocery bag splits apart. So here you are standing in the rain, groceries all over the steps and of course your cell phone rings. You have a choice, answer the phone and take out your frustrations on whomever is calling or let it go to voicemail. After taking a deep breath, you pick up the groceries, go to the front door, open it and go inside. There you go, mission accomplished! It did not go as planned, but you were able to get all your groceries safely inside the house. What does this have to do with Financial Planning? You have a plan; it seems to be going along just fine and it starts to rain, or in today’s world, we experience COVID-19. As Financial Advisors, our team helps you weather the storms and navigate through unexpected events that occur while on your journey. During these challenging times, we have been referred to new clients who have realized that having an investment manager is simply not enough; they need a financial plan. It may be time to get yourself on track and prepare yourself for the next storm. Financial planning starts with getting yourself organized, evaluating your goals, and making those important steps towards achieving those goals. COVID-19 is today’s storm. This pandemic has changed our lives and affected our economy in ways some of us have never seen before, so let’s break down the events of the last few months. At the beginning of 2020, our US economy was humming along with low unemployment, profitable businesses and consumers willing to spend their hard-earned dollars. In fact, our economy is 70% consumer driven. Suddenly, at the end of March, cash flow was turned off by the Covid-19 stay-at-home order. Investors saw a 30% drop in the S&P 500 from an all time high over the course of two days. It didn’t matter how you were invested. Equities, Fixed Income, Real Estate and Alternatives all dropped in value. We now have seen an increase of 23% since March 23rd. If you have a proper plan in place, you will be able to get through this storm and still be on track to achieve your goals. Right now you should be reviewing your portfolio allocation, level of risk and return, and determine if you need to make any adjustments to your investments or Financial Plan.
Start Your Plan Today! The first step to establishing your financial plan is to Get Organized. Gather all your financial data and organize it so you can easily access it. This will give you an overview of where all your assets are currently. I suggest creating a cover page that lists the following details: • Investment, Banking, and Savings Statements • Household Income and Expenses • Current Debts • Wills and/or Trust Documents • Insurance Policies You can visit our website www.KnoxGroveFinancial.com under the “Resources” tab to access our Document Checklist that we provide to our clients. Once you have your cover page, then you can gather all the detailed statements and documents that support the list. Get Help from a Professional Sometimes it’s not what you know, but what you don’t know that can hinder a successful outcome. In addition to a professional being properly licensed and with a reputable firm, you should look for an adviser who helps to empower you and will partner with you on your journey. Knowledge and understanding will help you build confidence. Make sure you’re with someone who makes you feel good about asking questions. I hope these steps help kick start your journey. If you have not reviewed your Financial Plan or portfolio in a while, we welcome you to reach out to our team to discuss your personal situation. You can reach us at 609-216-7440 or jodi@knoxgrove.com. From our family to yours,
Jodi Viaud & Bill Stolow Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/ or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
Do You Need More Than Just Investment Advice?
Staying on track with a customized plan is the key to reaching financial well-being. We develop and implement strategies that address your unique financial needs, risks and aspirations and keep you on the right path to help you reach your financial goals. YOUR PATH FORWARD Comprehensive Financial Life Plans • Goal and Risk Assessment • Retirement. Tax and Estate Planning • Education Funding • Charitable Giving
Investment Portfolio Management • Personalized Investment Strategies • Asset Allocation and Risk Management • Account Monitoring • Asset Preservation
YOUR PAT H FORWARD Knox Grove Financial, LLC Jodi Viaud, CFP® Partner and Financial Advisor
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I 2 Tree Farm Road, Suite B100 I Pennington, NJ 08534 P: 609-216-7440 F: 609-910-4275 www.knoxgrovefinancial.com I Info@knoxgrove.com
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
Bill Stolow Financial Advisor and Medicare Specialist
July 2020
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Educational Spotlight Column by Dr. Jonathan Dauber | Board Member, Lawrence Township Board of Education ”Celebrating education in Lawrence with insight and inspiration; connecting readers to our students, schools and educational community.”
Finding the Silver Lining: A Senior’s Take on Her Final Year By Aishvarya Indiran | Lawrence High School Class of 2020 If someone told me on the first day of senior year that March 13th would be my last day of physically attending Lawrence High School, I would’ve been in absolute disbelief. I imagine that my initial reaction would have been consumed with thoughts of endless free time: the hours I would be able to sleep, using the bathroom whenever I wanted, and doing anything otherwise deemed unproductive. But honestly, not even in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine any of it could happen, but, it did! While I enjoyed my first week of quarantine by doing homework at my leisure, eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted, and watching Netflix, the reality of COVID-19 slowly dawned on me. As days melted into weeks, I no longer enjoyed waking up only to go back to sleep. I soon realized that time is nothing more than a social construct that I needed to create, in order to satisfy my feeling of purpose. Similarly, the feelings of disconnect, even loneliness, settled in. Now, why would any teenager feel alone in this situation? After all, social media exists—it connects us all, right! Well, that’s the thing. Honestly, it’s really hard to find enjoyable moments to share, given our current situation, and what’s the point of social media if you can’t share the moments that you enjoy? I’m sure we’ve all realized by now that you can only text people for so long. We can only share funny videos and memes before they too become less engaging. So, after a while, messages stopped coming. And I found myself alone with my thoughts, whether I liked it or not. Frankly speaking, I found it terrifying to face the prospect of being denied the traditional end to my senior year. However, I slowly realized that I wasn’t really denied the end to my senior year. Just like everything in life, how I feel about my senior year is dependent upon my perspective of it. And just like every decision in life, my decision to make the most of this situation has helped me to see that my life hasn’t come to a standstill. In fact, quarantine gave me the opportunity to stop, breathe, and reflect. Suddenly all of the moments of our senior year, big and small,
seemed different and even more important. The first assembly of the year, the holiday cheer that occurs before Thanksgiving and winter break, our final pep-rally, even sitting at lunch with my friends were moments that made me realize I’m very thankful that I have this opportunity to recognize the amount of fun I had in school. Once I finally confronted my inevitable fear that prom and graduation would soon be canceled, I slowly began to accept the fact that even regarding these two important milestones, this time demands different thinking. This situation has made me realize that we can’t take “normal” for granted, and yet, that doesn’t mean we can’t establish a new sense of normalcy during these times. Just by talking with my friends, as opposed to texting, allows me to feel lifted by their highspirits, or to lift them up when they need it as well. Learning how to be a more independent learner has allowed me to appreciate how much our teachers do to make sure we all stay connected and continue to learn through these unprecedented times. I now realize that I’m so lucky to be a student in a school that adapted so quickly to ensure that we continued to learn and finish our year. Although I always knew it, I actually love going to school! Lawrence High School is a place that prides itself on its diversity, which is what makes me most proud to be a Cardinal. And even though it took a global pandemic for me to realize it, I’m glad it made me appreciate all of the good moments of my high school experience. As I look back on the past, I hope that, in the future, we’ll have the privilege of being together again. But until then, we need to make the most of this moment by finding new ways to be with each other.
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July 2020
Community Spotlight
Heroes
At Work Everyday
By Rachel Donington and Catherine Bialkowski
We at Lawrence Neighbors would like to salute members of our community who have made a positive impact during the worldwide COVID-19 crisis. We applaud our neighbors who have used their unique skills and love of their community to make a change in different ways, and we’d like to dedicate this page to informing our readers of their admirable efforts. All of the following organizations have received special grants from the Lawrence Township Community Foundation for going above and beyond in their efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic in our local community. Camp Fire NJ leads online virtual programs for youth emotional needs
New Beginnings Community Center for Wellbeing helps with food pantry expenses
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) continues their new volunteer recruitment and training
PEI (Prevention, Education, Intervention) Kids has transitioned to online therapy for child victims of sexual abuse
Dress for Success introduced an online Professional Women’s Group GI GO Foundation provides financial assistance for veterans HomeFront continues to provide food pantry support Interfaith Caregivers offers volunteer training and support
SERV (Social, Educational, Residential, Vocational) Behavioral Health System has expanded their mental health services, personal protective equipment (PPE), and games and supplies for group home residents
Jewish Family and Children’s Services continues to offer food distribution for senior citizens and low income families
We Make: Autism at Work helps with payroll expenses and enrichment programs for workers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Lawrenceville Main Street introduced a Gift Card Project to increase local business
Womanspace helps with extra shelter expenses caused by COVID-19
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Mercer offers online mental health services
Thank you for all you have done to support our community.
Lawrence Neighbors
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Twin Pines fields dedicated in Steve’s name in 2015
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July 2020
Resident Feature
Groeger
Steve and Jo Ann Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence
By Catherine Bialkowski I Photos by Benoit Cortet
J
o Ann and Steve Groeger are active members of the Lawrence Township community, in multiple senses of the word. Called “Mr. Lawrence” by many, Steve has lived in the area for over 60 years, and even has a local field named after him, indicative of all the work he’s put into Lawrence recreation throughout his career. Jo Ann has also immersed herself fully into the Lawrence community as a vocal member of the school board and adjunct professor at nearby The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). They are active by the word’s other definition, too: as lifelong runners, both Steve and Jo Ann have placed exercise and physical health high on their priority lists, and have bonded over the rituals of training for many years. The couple met through Steve’s sister, Lucie, when she and Jo Ann worked together at Slackwood Elementary School. Lucie was a classroom assistant for special education students, and Jo Ann taught physical education. The two women would have fun conversations in the faculty room during breaks and became friends. “She would say, ‘You have to meet my brother,’” says Jo Ann. At the time, Steve was training to do the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii, and Jo Ann was the Varsity Girls’ Track and Field Coach at Lawrence High School—Lucie felt it was a perfect match!
“What’s unique about Lawrence is the diversity in every aspect— socioeconomic, ethnic, social. It’s a great melting pot for kids to grow up in and see what the real world looks like” Steve
Jo Ann and Steve did meet. “The more we both got excited about training and running was when it clicked,” says Jo Ann. Running, truly, is what brought the couple together. Today, the couple have spent 37 wonderful years in the same house in Lawrence. Long before she met Steve, Jo Ann grew up in Lake Hopatcong. She never thought she would leave her hometown, but after graduating from The King’s College in New York City, she suddenly found herself being offered a job as a health and physical education teacher in Lawrence. “I felt at home here,” she says. Jo Ann, aside from teaching and coaching track, coached gymnastics as well. Lawrence quickly became her new home.
Throughout her career, Jo Ann has been involved in the community in more ways than coaching and teaching. While teaching, she got involved with New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), which, she says, opened her eyes “to what really drives the budget.” When she retired, Jo Ann vowed to dedicate as much time as she could to the school board and “be a voice from a different perspective.” She wanted, ultimately, to be a voice for the children she taught and had come to love. And Jo Ann did exactly that; today, she is a board member on the Lawrence Township Board of Education. After retiring, Jo Ann also started teaching as an adjunct at TCNJ, in the area of health and exercise science, helping students with resume writing as well. She has also stayed involved with NJSBA (New Jersey School Board Association). In fact, she is currently the President of the Mercer County School Board. “I’m retired, but I don’t feel like I’m
Lawrence Neighbors
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Resident Feature retired,” she says. But this is how she likes it. “Passion—you can’t quiet it.” Steve grew up right here in Lawrence, from the age of seven on. “I’ve lived here my entire life except when I attended college,” he says. When Steve’s family first arrived here, there was no high school or intermediate school. The town was small, and didn’t yet require its own schools. Steve was in the very first 6th grade class at Ben Franklin Elementary, and the first class to graduate from Lawrence High School. After graduating from high school, Steve went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in New York to study electrical engineering. Although he worked afterwards for a few years in the engineering field, he found himself doing more and more in the recreational field. “I made the decision that that’s what I should be doing for a living,” he says. Steve attended Temple University for a graduate program in his newly chosen career field, and in 1982 took over the recreation department in Lawrence Township. He held that position until 2014. During his 32 years at the recreation department, Steve accomplished a multitude of improvements for the community of Lawrence. In addition to coaching and volunteering on the side, he and his team built two parks, Village Park and, with Hopewell Valley, a multiple-field park where Twin Pine Airport used to be. He was also responsible for the development of the office on aging and the building of the senior center, and for the organization of the annual Fourth of July fireworks display. The highlight of Steve’s career, though, was the 1997 300-year anniversary of Lawrence Township. Steve decided to ask General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., U.S. army general and leader of coalition forces in the Gulf War, to attend the event. General Schwarzkopf had grown up in Lawrence Township. Two years ahead of time, Steve reached out via a
recorded message from General Schwarzkopf ’s third grade teacher, Helen Titus, inviting him to the celebration. The department received a response within a day. “He was thrilled,” says Steve. The general waived the usual $60,000 fee and was flown up from Tampa. Once in Lawrence, he was able to see his old house and his Kindergarten classroom, among other sites, and got to reunite with Miss Titus. The United States Marine Band was there to give him a warm welcome. Steve will always look upon this memory fondly and with pride. Steve, a.k.a. Mr. Lawrence, has done incredible work for the township of Lawrence. He even has one of the fields located where the old airport used to be named after him: Steven J. Groeger Fields. His grandchildren ask him, whenever they’re in town, to visit “your field.” Steve has his name in the Lawrence High School Athletic Hall of Fame as a contributor (as does Jo Ann, as a coach) as well as the Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame. He has an abundance of good memories centered on his hometown, and is grateful to have raised his family in such a wonderful place. “What’s unique about Lawrence is the diversity in every aspect— socioeconomic, ethnic, social. It’s a great melting pot for kids to grow up in and see what the real world looks like,” says Steve. Steve and Jo Ann Groeger are living the best versions of their lives, having navigated robust careers for many years and now settling into retirement. Their three children (Holly, Brian, and John) and six grandchildren (William, Jackson, Teagan, Zachary, Carson, and Aubrey) are a source of joy in their lives, as is their beloved community of Lawrence. Their story demonstrates, as Jo Ann puts it, that passion can never be quieted—especially not here in Lawrence.
Do you know a neighbor who has a story to share? Nominate your neighbor to be featured in one of our upcoming issues! Contact Rachel Donington at rdonington@bestversionmedia.com.
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July 2020
Lawrence Neighbors
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Recipe
Summertime is the best time! Recipe by Rachel Donington
Summer is my favorite time of year because I love all of the fresh produce that is available in our local area. Farm Markets to farm stands — I can never get enough! I try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as I can every single day so I can enjoy all of the flavors of summer. I love this Summer Vegetable Salad because it is packed with so many summer vegetables. I get to enjoy all of my favorites grown locally in one salad! This salad is very flexible too, you can use whatever summer vegetables you have on hand. The more the merrier! If you want to bulk up the salad to make it more of a main dish, feel free to add your favorite protein-chicken, steak, fish, or beans would be great! And if you have avocado, add it! Avocado is always a good idea!
Summer Vegetable Salad INGREDIENTS
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste
For the salad:
For the charred lime vinaigrette:
• 2 ears corn shucked
• 2 large limes cut in half crosswise
• 1 medium orange red, or yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips
• 3 tablespoons olive oil plus more for brushing
• Olive oil for brushing
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes halved
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 English cucumber cut into half moons • 5 radishes thinly sliced • 1/4 cup feta cheese, or queso fresco, or shaved ricotta salata cheese • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped herbs such as cilantro, chives, basil, or mint
• 1 small shallot finely chopped
INSTRUCTIONS Prepare a grill or grill pan for mediumhigh heat. Brush the corn and bell pepper with oil and grill, turning occasionally, until charred and tender, 6 to 8 minutes for the pepper and 12 to 15 for the con. Transfer the grilled vegetables to a cutting board as they are finished and let cool slightly. Brush 3 of the lime halves with oil, you won’t need the 4th half, save for
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another use. Grill the halves, cut side down, rotating occasionally, until charred, about 5 minutes. Transfer the limes to a plate. To make the vinaigrette, thinly slice the garlic, then mount the salt on top. Using both the blade and flat side of a chef’s knife, chop and scrape the mixture into a paste. Transfer to a small bowl or jar. Juice the grilled limes and add the lime juice and shallot to the bowl with the garlic and whisk in the oil. Cut the corn kernels from the cobs and roughly chop the bell pepper. Arrange the grilled vegetables, tomatoes, cucumber, and radishes in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and a generous pinch of salt and pepper; gently toss to combine. Sprinkle with the cheese and herbs to serve. Hope you enjoyed it!
July 2020
Resident Submitted
Facts About the By Catherine Bialkowski
Red, white, and blue become the primary colors on the fourth day of July every year, the United States’ Independence Day. On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen colonies were free of British rule, creating what has become an iconic federal holiday. Here are some lesserknown historical facts about this holiday and its associations:
What Else Happened on This Day? The fourth of July is automatically associated with Independence Day, but plenty of other interesting things have happened on this date in history:
A Brief History of Fireworks Undoubtedly, you will watch a fireworks display this year on the Fourth (or at least hear one!) Did you know that fireworks were actually invented in ancient China in the second century B.C.? They were bamboo stalks that exploded when thrown into fire, thought to ward off evil spirits. Between 600 and 900 A.D., a Chinese alchemist created gunpowder for the first time, mixing together sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate. This was put into hollowed bamboo sticks, creating the world’s first fireworks. Between the 13th and 15th centuries, fireworks found their way to Europe. The first United States settlers eventually brought them over to North America, where they have become traditional during holidays and celebrations.
1803 The Louisiana Purchase Treaty was announced to the American people
The Colors on the Flag Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774-1789, reported to Congress on June 20, 1782, that white signified purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue, vigilance, justice, and perseverance. This three-color combination, however, is not unique to the United States; 30 total flags across the world use these colors in their design.
1884 The country of France officially gave the Statue of Liberty to the United States
Food on the Fourth Eating salmon on the Fourth of July is a New England tradition, as the fish was bountiful in rivers throughout the area. Pair it with peas this year to eat it in the traditional way! Americans will eat around 150 million hot dogs on the fourth. The winner of the 2018 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, Joey Chestnut, ate 74 of them in 10 minutes.
Lawrence Neighbors
1054 Chinese astronomers discovered the Crab Nebula, the six-light-year-wide remainder of a supernova explosion
1804 The Scarlet Letter author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born 1826 Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died; this was also the 50th anniversary of independence. Talk about coincidence! 1862 Lewis Carroll came up with the idea for Alice in Wonderland while on a boat with Dean Henry Liddell’s three daughters (the youngest of whom was named Alice); he told them a story that would eventually turn into this beloved book
1966 The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson 1996 The email service Hotmail went live
Happy Fourth of July! 13
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July 2020
5/22/20 12:52 PM
Community
The Importance of By Catherine Bialkowski
Public parks have played a vital role in American culture and development for many years. According to economist Margaret Walls, the first public open space park was the Boston Common, designated in 1634. During the second half of the 1800s, the intention of public parks in cities was to create an oasis of nature within urban spaces. Often, these spaces were called “pleasure gardens.” During the early 20th century, the intention of the public park shifted slightly; it became a place of recreation for children to get exercise and socialize—hence the idea of the playground. The conclusion of World War II brought about a mass move to the suburbs, and many believed this would prove to be the death of the public park, as many families began to have yards of their own. Walls points to the 1990s as the beginning of the rebirth of city parks. The National Recreation and Park Association points to three values of the public park that make it an essential part to communities: economic value, health and environmental benefits, and social importance. Here are some examples of these values: • The value of private property increases the closer it is to a park
Lawrence Neighbors
Public Parks
• Locals can use the park to exercise and stay healthy
Colonial Lake Park
• A study by Penn State suggests that stress, blood pressure and lowered and overall health increases as a result of visiting and spending time in parks
Eldridge Park
• Parks improve water quality, prevent flooding, create a space for wildlife to flourish, and improve air quality
Shipetauken Woods
• Parks act as gathering spaces for friends and family to connect
Drexel Woods Gilpin Park Hamnett Park Lawrence Veterans Park Stonicker Park Village Park LAWRENCE TRAILS
Because approximately 80% of the U.S. population resides in urban or suburban areas, parks are of vital importance to our communities. Trails, fields, and open spaces, too, not only improve our physical health, but our overall happiness. These past few months, public parks have become an even more important natural space for people to change their daily environments, get some fresh air, and reap the benefits of being in a serene environment. In the age of COVID-19, we need our parks and open spaces now more than ever for both physical health as well as mental clarity.
Laurie Chauncey Trail at Educational Testing Service
TOWNSHIP PARKS
Drexel Woods
Carson Woods
Colonial Lake Trail
Central Park
Lawrence Hopewell Trail
Carson Road Woods Shipetaukin Woods and Terhune Orchards Farm Trail Mercer County Park Northwest Johnson Trolley Line North The Lawrenceville School Maidenhead Meadows Park Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Turtleback Park Loveless Nature Preserve Johnson Trolley Line South
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E Y LAK T R E B LI AMP C Y A D
SEE YOU Y H T L A E H Y A T S
IN 2021!
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