Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced $2 million of improvements planned for Essex County Branch Brook Park, outlined the exciting line-up of activities for the 34th Annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival and introduced Aetna as the premiere sponsor of the cultural and nature celebration.



“Since we discovered our Cherry Tree groves were in a state of decline several years ago, we have planted more than 4,000 new cherry trees to restore and expand this natural treasure in Essex County Branch Brook Park. Working with the Branch Brook Park Alliance, we have expanded the number of trees so the magnificent canopy can be enjoyed throughout the park from Belleville to Newark’s Central Ward,” DiVincenzo said. “We invite the public to visit Branch Brook to experience the most diverse collection of Cherry Trees in the country and enjoy the diverse schedule of activities that offer something for all ages,” he added.



“Today we are celebrating our 4,100 cherry trees. It reminds us that having a place where families can come and have a wonderful day of recreation, leisure and making memories is important,” Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver said.



“Anyone raised in the community can testify the park is the natural backdrop of many memories – Communions, baseball games, family picnics,” NJ State Senator Teresa Ruiz said. “The economy of today is difficult so it is important for our natural resources to be open, free and able to meet the needs of our residents,” she added.



"With one tour of the park, visitors will see weeping cherries, single blossoms and double blossoms, and shades of blossoms ranging from palest pink to the shockingly bright blossoms of the royal burgundy flowering trees," said Barbara Bell Coleman, Co-Chair of Branch Brook Park Alliance.



“We have never had a County Executive who does what Joe DiVincenzo does. What is happening in Branch Brook Park is a perfect example of what he is doing throughout Essex County,” Freeholder Patricia Sebold said.



“This is a beautiful place and will only become more magnificent,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said. “I’ve been coming to Branch Brook Park all my life and this natural display is important in many of our lives,” he noted.



“I congratulate Joe DiVincenzo and the Branch Brook Park Alliance on their continued partnership to revitalize Branch Brook Park. We are all very grateful for the many improvements that have been made,” Newark North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos said. “The lighting will add a measure of security and place another aesthetic element to the park,” he added.



Three improvement projects will begin this spring to continue the ongoing revitalization of Essex County Branch Brook Park.



Six hundred (600) Cherry Trees and other trees will be planted throughout the park this spring through a $416,889 competitively-bid contract awarded to Andy Matt, Inc. of Mine Hill, NJ. When the planting is completed, Essex County Branch Brook Park will have the greatest variety of Cherry Trees and there will be approximately 4,100 Cherry Trees, giving it more trees than the national display in Washington, D.C.



A second project includes paving the park roadway, upgrading walking paths, and installing historic lighting in the section of the park between the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center to Heller Parkway. A publicly bid contract for $926,000 to AJM Construction LLC of Garfield is scheduled to be presented to the Board of Freeholders for review at an upcoming meeting. The work will be funded with grants from the NJ Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.



The third project includes paving the park roadway from Mill Street to Washington Street. A contract for $680,000 to Tilcon Paving is scheduled to be presented to the Board of Freeholders for review at an upcoming meeting. The work will be funded through the Community Development Block Grant program.



Essex County 34th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival



The Essex County 34th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival begins Saturday, April 10th with a bike race and continues through Sunday, April 25th with a variety of activities to attract the public to Essex County Branch Brook Park and raise awareness of this magnificent natural treasure. In addition, the County Executive welcomed Aetna as the premiere sponsor of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Aetna contributed $50,000 to support this year’s events.



“Our festival attracts tens of thousands of people from throughout the tri-state area and the generous support from Aetna will help us continue to present family-friendly activities and raise awareness about our Cherry Trees,” DiVincenzo said.



“We are honored to be the premiere sponsor of the Cherry Blossom Festival and help preserve such an important asset for the community,” said Jay Sheey, head of Aetna’s Labor and Public Sector Business. “Our sponsorship is a reflection of our commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work,” he added.



The 2010 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival includes the following events:



Bike Race

Race through Branch Brook Park in the Cherry Blossom Challenge, a competitive New Jersey tradition, or cheer on the cyclists while enjoying a day in the fresh, spring air. Various races occur throughout the morning. Registration fees apply to racers. It’s free to enter the park and watch.



Date: Saturday, April 10, 2010

Time: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park

Heller Parkway

Newark, NJ



10K Run

Run through the cherry tree groves in this USATF-sanctioned race that includes a competitive 10K Run, a 1-Mile Children's Fun Run and a Race for the Disabled. A portion of the race proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Registration fees apply to runners. It’s free to enter the park and watch.



Date: Sunday, April 11, 2010

Time: Registration: 8 a.m.

Fun Run: 9 a.m.

10K Race: 10 a.m.

Race for the Disabled: 10:10 a.m.

Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park

Cherry Blossom Welcome Center

Mill Street

Newark, NJ



Branch Brook Park Alliance Cherry Blossom Gala

Support the conservancy group that works hand-in-hand with the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs by attending their spectacular gala at Nanina's In The Park restaurant, Belleville. Prudential is a sponsor of the Cherry Blossom Gala. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 973-268-2300 or visit www.branchbrookpark.org.



Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Time: 6 p.m.

Place: Nanina’s In The Park

240 Franklin Avenue

Belleville, NJ



Nature Photography Workshop

The Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs proudly presents a workshop series with the Essex County Nature Photographers to celebrate Essex County Blooms. Learn to photograph different flowers at their peak while enjoying a day in the park! Dates and topics include: April 17 – Cherry Blossoms; May 22 – Irises; June 19 – Roses. All levels of experience are welcome. Space is limited. Fee: $35 per session or $90 for the three-part series. Please call (973) 239-7072 or e-mail khartwyk@parks.essexcountynj.org.



Dates: Saturdays, April 17, May 22 and June 19

Times: 9 a.m.

Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park – First Session

Cherry Blossom Welcome Center

Mill Street

Newark, NJ



Bloomfest

Enjoy a family day in the pink park! A packed schedule of events includes cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace, food, and more. Admission is free.



Date: Sunday, April 18, 2010

Times: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park

Cherry Blossom Welcome Center

Mill Street

Newark, NJ



Susan G. Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure

Join 10,000 women, men and children in Essex County Branch Brook Park, Newark in the fight against breast cancer in a 5K race/walk. For more information or to register, please call (908) 277-2904 or visit www.komennorthjersey.org.



Date: Sunday, April 25, 2010

Time: Registration: 7 a.m.

Event: 8 a.m.

Place: Essex County Branch Brook Park

Heller Parkway

Newark, NJ





Essay Contest for Essex County 4th Graders

Enter to win the "Why My Essex County Park is Important To Me" Essay Contest and read your entry on stage at Bloomfest on Saturday, April 18th. Deadline to enter is Monday, March 15th. For information, call 973-239-2485.



DiVincenzo also announced a new website dedicated to the Cherry Blossom Festival and Essex County Blooms events is now online. History, driving directions, a complete list of activities and a web cam where the public can monitor the cherry trees for the peak of the bloom season can be found there. You can access the site by visiting www.essexcountynj.org and clicking on the Cherry Blossom 2010 logo. More information can also be obtained by calling 973-239-2485.



The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is hosted by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Branch Brook Park Alliance. It is sponsored by Aetna and the NJ Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.



Cherry Tree Planting Campaign



The County Executive is inviting the public and corporations to participate in a fundraising campaign to purchase and plant Cherry Trees in Essex County Branch Brook Park. Each new Cherry Tree can be purchased for $250 from the Essex County Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible, checks can be made out to “Essex County Parks Foundation” and mailed to the Essex County Parks Foundation, 115 Clifton Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104. Please write “Cherry Blossom Campaign” on the memo line of the check.



Donations are being recognized in a “Cherry Blossom Giving Tree” located at the entrance of the Essex County Cherry Blossom Welcome Center. Donations of $250 are recognized with a leaf on the Giving Tree and donations of $1,000 or more are recognized with special plaques on the Giving Tree wall. Donors can choose to have their name inscribed on the Giving Tree or make the contribution in memory of a loved one.



Many of the original Cherry Trees planted in Branch Brook Park were donated to the Essex County Park System by the Bamberger and Mrs. Felix Fuld family in 1927. At its height, there were about 2,500 Cherry Trees in Branch Brook Park. According to the Branch Brook Park Alliance, the original Cherry Trees began to die because of old age and, in 2006, it was determined the original collection had diminished significantly. Essex County’s original Cherry Trees are about 80 years old, which is 10 years longer than the average lifespan. As the trees get older, they stop blooming and eventually decay.



The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 20 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Branch Brook Park was created in 1895 and is the first park in Essex County’s system. At 359.72 acres, it is the largest county park in Essex.