Great Oak

by Vadim Levin

Title

Great Oak

Artist

Vadim Levin

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

This Great Oak tree is located in the the Great Oak park in East Brunswick New Jersey. This is one of my favorite local places to visit.
Great Oak Park in East Brunswick (Middlesex County) is a small family park with a lot to offer. There are several picnic tables and a small gazebo which can be used for small gatherings and parties. There is a walking path that goes around and through the main areas of the park. It is perfect for walking with strollers and is also great for kids on bicycles who can ride and yet never be out of sight of parents on the playground with smaller children. The playground area has two structures. The smaller one is rated for kids 2-5 and the larger one is for 5-12 year olds. These structures are new and in excellent condition. There are also two sets of swings, with regular and infant seats. There is one large swing with a 5-point harness designed for children with disabilities.

Great Oak Park is named after the giant oak at its center, but the park itself is an arboretum. The trees populating the park were planted to represent every letter of the alphabet. Their genus names range from Acer (Maple) to Zelkova Serrata, a Japanese native. In 2010, a local boy scout troop completed an Eagle Project at the park, creating plaques that display the genus and common names of each of the trees. For the botanically minded, this alphabetical treasure hunt makes for a very fun afternoon.

The real prize of Great Oak Park is hidden behind the trees. If you walk to the back end of the park, you will find the entrance to The East Brunswick Butterfly Park. This butterfly sanctuary is the first municipal park in New Jersey dedicated to butterfly conservation. It consists of 11 acres with a 1,000 foot cinder trail, a 1,000 foot woodland trail and a 400 foot meadow trail. These trails are all child friendly. I have walked them numerous times with my 3 year old with no trouble. They are not stroller friendly though and in the spring they can sometimes be a bit muddy. But don't let that stop you. This is a must-see section of the park, even if it is not butterfly season.

Great Oak Park is a small neighborhood park that really has something for everyone. If you're in the area, it's your go-to park. But for non-locals, it�s definitely worth a drive if you're a tree buff or a butterfly fan.

Source: Dana K. Great Oak Park, East Brunswick NJ http://www.njplaygrounds.com/7648/great-oak-park-east-brunswick-nj/

Great Oak Park also has a scientific distinction. It was at the Park that a new species of insect for New Jersey was found on one of the trees. This small insect is a Green lacewing and the report of the insect will be published in the Fall in Entomological News. Read the prepublication report that was accepted by the Journal. Scroll to the last page to see picture of this amazing looking insect. It shows that even in our own town parks, there are amazing discoveries to be made.
Source: http://www.friendsebec.com/greatoakpark.htm

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March 21st, 2013

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