Daffodil Day Draws Crowds at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit

by Alice Magdziak • April 24, 2016 • Events, Green Jersey, Union • Comments (0) • 2255

We attended Daffodil Day at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon. The sunny weather enticed families and flower lovers alike to the Summit landmark. Cars were parked up and down Hobart Avenue as well as on many side streets. Some young entrepreneurs even had a lemonade stand set up for those that had a long walk to the entrance.

These public gardens have beautiful grounds and an amazing Historical Register home sitting in the middle of all that beauty. We had such a great time that we’re planning on returning for future events.

Daffodil Day had food trucks, local vendors and a baby goat petting zoo. Let me repeat that…baby goats…to pet.

There were games and crafts for kids and lots of flower beds for adults to marvel at.

There was also a great art exhibit in the Wisner House called “New Growth” which was bent-wood sculpture from artist Susan Manspeizer.

They have events year round and just look at this list of fun stuff to do from their website!

Stroll our historic grounds and display gardens.
Experience the Daffodil Bowl, filled with thousands of blooms throughout April.
Grab a Healthy Hike map and take a walk on our woodland trails.
View art exhibits in the Wisner House gallery.
From June to October, explore our Art in the Garden exhibit of outdoor sculpture.
Enjoy our summer concert series, Sounds of a Summer Night.
Enjoy spectacular fall foliage as well as the Perennial Border’s final performance of autumn blooms.
Explore the historic exhibit in the Garden Library & Lounge.
Rent a backpack on Discovery Saturdays and investigate the flora and fauna of RRA!

Reeves-Reed Arboretum began as space where Lenni Lenape Native Americans passed through the property on their route from NJ’s coastal areas to mountain settlements further inland. During the Revolutionary period, the area was important because of its proximity to the Old Sow Revolutionary War Cannon and the Signal Beacon atop Beacon Hill. Once the area became more settled the Wisners family called the land “The Clearing.” Later, the Reeves and Reed families lived there and in 1974 the arboretum opened to the public. They are best known for their Daffodil Bowl which is a large clearing that dips down into a small valley and holds thousands of daffodils that bloom in early April with a winding trail through the middle.

Hours and access to the gardens are as follows (via the Arboretum website): The Arboretum grounds are open to visitors from dawn to dusk every day. Wisner House is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and generally open on Saturdays and Sundays unless there’s a private event. The Stackhouse Education Center welcomes families Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and every Saturday between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm from March through November.

Check out all the pictures from our visit to Daffodil Day at Reeves-Reed Arboretum below: