Goat yoga on Saturday, Aug. 8, a forest bathing session on Sunday, Aug. 9, and a botanical creativity workshop on Thursday, Aug. 13: Reeves-Reed Arboretum is squeezing a full slate of programming into August before the season turns.
The nonprofit public garden at 165 Hobart Ave. in Summit has scheduled wellness and arts events nearly every week through August, most of them outdoors on the property's almost six acres of woodland and nearly a mile of trails. A continuous ADA-accessible pathway called "A Path for All," which opened in May, makes the grounds easier to navigate for visitors with strollers, wheelchairs or mobility challenges.
What's on the calendar
Goat Yoga: Saturday, Aug. 8, on the arboretum grounds.
Forest Bathing: Sunday, Aug. 9. The guided immersion practice emphasizes slowing down among the trees.
Tend to Your Light Botanical Workshop: Thursday, Aug. 13. A hands-on creative session using plant materials.
Free guided garden tours: Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., weather permitting. Volunteer-led walks highlight seasonal blooms, historic landscapes and property history.
Let's Get Growing workshops: Wednesday mornings for families with young children, featuring plants, insects and hands-on nature activities.
Sounds of a Summer Night concert, Sound Bite: Wednesday, Aug. 26. Grounds open for picnicking at 6 p.m.; the local New Jersey band performs at 7 p.m. Tickets are free for arboretum members and children under 3, $10 for non-members and $5 for students. Summit Elks Lodge 1246 sponsors the series, which continues Sept. 2 with Ginger Winn.
The new accessible pathway
The Path for All opened May 15 after a capital campaign that raised more than $1 million. The project added a continuous ADA-accessible loop connecting major garden areas, improved grading and surfacing, a new outdoor patio and educational gathering space, and additional seating.
"This initiative reflects the Arboretum's belief that nature and public gardens should be enjoyed by everyone," Executive Director Jackie Kondel said at the May 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony. "It is incredibly meaningful to see spaces that were once difficult to navigate become more welcoming and accessible."
Madison-based landscape architect J. Kest & Co. designed the pathway; J.R. Prisco, Inc. of Stirling built it. Future phases include accessible entry gate improvements, wayfinding signage and an additional restroom.
Still on view
Québec artist Pascale Bouchard's Féminins Pluriel exhibition of beeswax paintings remains open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the arboretum's Wisner House through Oct. 31.
Registration details and pricing for individual workshops are available at reeves-reedarboretum.org.
