FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2008

CONTACT: Tom Plante, 908-527-4746
Seb D’Elia, 908-527-4419

Giddy Up! Families Can Explore
Watchung Reservation on Horseback, June 1

Mountainside NJ – Giddy up! Watchung Stable instructor Kristie Larson leads a group of riders toward the woods on a Nature Trail Ride. Families with children, ages nine and older, are invited to ride from Watchung Stable with a Trailside park naturalist to learn about the flora and fauna in the 2,060-acre Watchung Reservation on Sunday, June 1, at 9:15 or 10:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. No riding experience is necessary. The fee for the program is $35 per rider for Union County residents and $45 for out-of-county riders. For information on this program or a complete listing of summer adult, family or children’s workshops, please call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Watchung Stable is located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Trailside and Watchung Stable are services of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Mountainside, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Trailside Nature and Science Center and Watchung Stable are pleased to offer a nature trail ride for adults and children, ages 9 and older, on Sunday, June 1 from Watchung Stable in Mountainside.

“This ride offers families a chance to see the Union County trail system on horseback,” said Freeholder Chairman Angel G. Estrada. “We’ve got more than 2,000 acres in the Watchung Reservation, so riders will have plenty of room to look, listen, and learn about local plants and animals from a different perspective.”

Enjoy a walking trail ride through the woods and fields and visit Lake Surprise. A park naturalist from Trailside Nature and Science Center will interpret sights and sounds of nature and identify interesting trees, plants and wildlife along the way. Discover how to identify poison ivy, learn about the different layers of the forest and find out why wetlands are so important for plants and animals. Listen for local birds and look for whitetail deer and other woodland animals along the way.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Due to the popularity of this program, two times are being offered. Rides will depart from Watchung Stable at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. and will last approximately 45 minutes. The fee is $35 per person for Union County residents and $45 per person for out-of-county riders. No riding experience is necessary. Participants are requested to wear sturdy shoes with a heel and should plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled time. In the event of inclement weather, participants should call Watchung Stable at 908-789-3665 to find out if the program has been postponed.

For additional information about the Sunday Nature Trail Ride or for information about upcoming summer programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us on our website at www.ucnj.org/trailside.

Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Watchung Stable is located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Trailside and Watchung Stable are services of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.