(PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ) -- The County of Passaic, in conjunction with the National Association of Olmsted Parks, is celebrating the life of Frederick Law Olmsted in honor of the 200th anniversary of his birth. Olmsted, widely considered the father of landscape architecture, will be celebrated throughout the year. Olmsted 200 events will engage the public through park tours, lectures and even a picnic.
Although Olmsted is synonymous with New York’s Central Park, he created hundreds of parks which defined the discipline of landscape architecture. Olmsted exemplified the many ways that public spaces could improve the human condition.
Olmsted retired in 1895 and his sons, John and Frederick Jr., took over the family business. The Olmsted Brothers Firm made their mark on Passaic County. In 1926, the preliminary Passaic County Park Commission hired the firm to design and establish the Passaic County Park System. The Olmsted Brothers’ expertise yielded, what continues to be, some of the most prominent locations in the County: The gardens at Dey Mansion Washington Headquarters, Garret Mountain Reservation, Goffle Brook Park, and Weasel Brook Park.
In addition to County parks, the Passaic County Park Commission made available the services the Olmsted Brothers to assist in the planning of the Hinchliffe Stadium, which is one of the last remaining Negro Leagues stadiums in the United States.
Further information on the Olmsted connection to Passaic County can be found on SeePassaicCounty.org. Below is a list of events to celebrate the life of Frederick Law Olmsted.
Passaic County’s Olmsted 200 Events
Tuesday, April 26 – Thursday, June 30 - Olmsted photography contest
Saturday, April 30 - Walking Tour of Goffle Brook Park at Art in the Park – 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 1st - Walking Tour of Goffle Brook Park at Art in the Park – 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 21 - Walking Tour of the Gardens at Dey Mansion – 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 31 – Olmsted picnic on Garret Mountain – 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 17 - Walking Tour of Weasel Brook Park – 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 18 - Walking Tour of Eastside Park – 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, November 12 - Walking Tour of Garret Mountain – 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m.
Friday, November 18 – Olmsted Academic Symposium – TBD
Saturday, December 3rd – Olmsted Virtual Lecture – TBD
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