Come celebrate the newly restored Nature Center with the park's new Naturalist, Joe Moore, on Saturday and Sunday, November 29th and 30th!

Enjoy crafts, treats, hands-on activities, and presentations from Joe and the park staff. The Nature Center will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, and 11am to 3pm on Sunday. Don’t miss out – it’s fun for all ages!

Join the WCPA Conservation Crew as we seed a new meadow in Washington Crossing State Park! Meet us in the parking lot by the bridge on River Drive, near the Nelson House. We'll be working along the Delaware and Raritan Feeder Canal, near the Honeyman Spring House and within the viewshed of the new Visitor Museum...it will be BEAUTIFUL. Come help us prep the soil and sow the seeds so that years from now you can say, "I did that!"

Come celebrate the newly restored Nature Center with the park's new Naturalist, Joe Moore, on Saturday and Sunday, November 29th and 30th!

Enjoy crafts, treats, hands-on activities, and presentations from Joe and the park staff. The Nature Center will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, and 11am to 3pm on Sunday. Don’t miss out – it’s fun for all ages!

Join the park naturalist in the park after hours in search of owls! This outing will take place right at dusk and explore areas of the park known for owl activity. Please dress for the weather and bring a flashlight!

This outing will last approximately one hour and involve walking about one mile. Perfect for all ages and interest levels. Registration is required at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/owls-of-the-crossing-tickets-1832066874339 and spaces are limited. 

Clear trails with the Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We will work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.

If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.

Join the WCPA and a descendent of a signer of the Declaration of Independence at: John Hart's Needle Creek Farm Brewery, 91 Titus Mill Road in Pennington NJ for a WATCH PARTY of the finale of Ken Burn's American Revolution!

Provisions & Refreshments available for purchase:

• 8 Farm Fresh Beers crafted at Needle Creek

• 2 Farm Fresh Hard Seltzers for your enjoyment

• Assorted Non-Alcoholic Beverages available

• Snacks from the General Store: Pretzels, Cookies, Chips & Cider Doughnuts

WCPA History Committee Members in full Revolutionary War "kit" will be on hand to discuss the show and answer your questions. They will bring items for attendees to examine! All ages are welcome.

Clear trails with the Senior Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.

If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.

Join the WCPA and a descendent of a signer of the Declaration of Independence for the at: John Hart's Needle Creek Farm Brewery, 91 Titus Mill Road in Pennington NJ for a WATCH PARTY of the premiere of Ken Burn's American Revolution!

Provisions & Refreshments available for purchase:

• 8 Farm Fresh Beers crafted at Needle Creek

• 2 Farm Fresh Hard Seltzers for your enjoyment

• Assorted Non-Alcoholic Beverages available

• Snacks from the General Store: Pretzels, Cookies, Chips & Cider Doughnuts

WCPA History Committee Members in full Revolutionary War "kit" will be on hand to discuss the show and answer your questions. They will bring items for attendees to examine! All ages are welcome.

Topic: Washington Crossing Park of New Jersey – The New Museum

 Speaker: Tim West

 Venue: SAR Chapter Meeting, Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, FL

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CAPTAIN DANIEL BRAY: FROM WATERMAN TO MILITIA

Daniel Bray was first a Scottish farmer from Baptisttown, NJ who became an experienced Waterman on the Delaware River, rising to Captain of his own Durham boat in 1769 at age 19. Later he joined the 2nd Regiment Hunterdon County NJ Militia, rising to captain in 1775. He earned his position in history when General George Washington charged him with obtaining the boats needed to cross the Delaware River on Christmas Night in 1776. Later he was promoted to general of the militia, and fought in the War of 1812.

Enjoy a first-person interpretation about Daniel Bray — from his boyhood as a farmer, to building Durham boats ,to becoming a waterman on the river, to marriage, to getting the boats for George Washington — then back to farming and finally the War of 1812. There is some audience participation, two costume changes, and a short play. The talk is supported by slides, a River Shanty, and a recited ballad.  

The narrator Daniel Nurmi McAuliffe has been a reenactor for 32 years with the 5th PA Regiment, crossing the Delaware numerous times. In 2016 he was asked to portray Captain Daniel Bray to replace his deceased mentor, Dick Bray, a direct descendant.

Come hear how this Scotsman learned how to “Git On Wit It!” in his life.

Peak foliage in central New Jersey hits at around the end of October! Come for one of the best autumn views in the State of New Jersey.

Join park staff at the Goat Hill Preserve in Lambertville for a fall hike starting from the main parking lot of the preserve, at the end of George Washington Road, at 10 am.

This outing will walk about a mile and a half on somewhat uneven trails. Fun for all ages!

Come and meet historian Stan Saperstein and hear about early American artillery from pre-Revolution to 1840. See the actual procedure for loading and firing of three miniature hand built cannons plus some surprise additions.

Artillery played a very important role in the Revolution. Hear about tactics and how cannons were used in different situations, especially in the Ten Crucial Days Campaign that saved the Revolution!

Join the Washington Crossing Park Association (WCPA) Conservation Crew for a forest restoration project along the historic Continental Lane trail. Participants will briefly learn about how invasive species are impacting New Jersey's forests. Then we'll get to work removing invasive plants to support the restoration of this important ecosystem!

📍 Location: Meet us at the small parking lot on the left, just past the State Park’s main entrance.

No experience necessary. Dress for the weather. Bring work gloves and loppers or a shovel if you have them. We will provide extra gloves and tools.

Clear trails with the Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We will work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.

If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.

Bats are one of the most misunderstood creatures on the planet. Capable of eating over 1,000 insects a night, bats are environmental equalizers to the bug population. Mosquitoes, gnats, and other flying annoyances are all on the menu once the sun starts to set. Join park staff at the Nature Center at 5:45 pm for a walk and talk on the bats of New Jersey. 

This outing will last approximately one hour and involve walking about one mile. Perfect for all ages and interest levels. Registration is required at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bats-in-the-park-tickets-1808167881809 and spaces are limited. 

Autumn is the time for birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and harriers to migrate! In our region, the Delaware River is used by many migrating birds in order to travel north or south during fall and spring. 

This outing will meet in the Washington's Grove parking lot on River Drive in Titusville, NJ, next to the Washington Crossing Bridge. George Washington's historic Landing area will be used to survey for raptors. 

The outing will include less than a mile of walking on even surfaces down the D & R Canal trail at Washington Crossing State Park. 

Bring binoculars or a camera if you have them. FREE!

Join us for a lunchtime webinar on October 10th as Joe Moore unveils the exciting vision for Washington Crossing State Park, NJ, outlining new programs and projects for the rest of this year and into 2026. He’ll also discuss the Nature Center itself, currently under renovation, and it will offer to local residents.

This year, immerse yourself in the natural world with outings focused on local ecology, the magnificent journey of migratory birds, the vital work of pollinators, the fantastic world of fungi, and the impressive spectacle of birds of prey!

Looking ahead to 2026, we'll delve into the park's rich history with special programming tied to Washington’s crossing of the Delaware.

Joe will also discuss how you can get involved through new volunteer opportunities, conservation management, and other impactful projects that will shape the park's future.

About Joe: Growing up in South Jersey near a steady stream, Naturalist Joe Moore developed a strong curiosity about the natural and cultural world. With a lifelong love for history and supportive parents, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Rowan University in 2014. A year later, Joe enrolled in American Public University's Environmental Management program, completing his Master of Science degree in 2017. Blending his interests in history and nature, Joe went on to work at several non-profits focused on conservation and preserving coastal heritage along the Jersey Shore through eco-tourism. In the summer of 2025, he accepted the position of Naturalist at Washington Crossing State Park.

This free webinar is offered with the generous support of the Pennington Public Library. You must register at https://www.penningtonlibrary.org/2025-26NatureWCSP

Clear trails with the Senior Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.

If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.

Take a guided nighttime bicycle ride, by the light of the Hunter Moon, from Washington Crossing and up the Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath toward the Lambertville wing dam (approx.13 miles round trip). Meet by the public restrooms at the far end of the Nelson House parking area. Bring your own bike, mounted front and rear bike lights and helmet. (no headlamps or helmet lamps please) Limited to 12 guests. Weather permitting. Free.

Enjoy an introduction to the fantastic world of fungi with this walk on Sunday, October 5th at 10am. Fungi expert, Maranda Boggs, along with park staff will lead a walk around Washington Crossing State Park in search of decomposers in all shapes and sizes. The walk will start at the Nature Center and the group will walk 2-3 miles over the course of two hours with occasional step over points and uneven ground along the trails at times.

Because we're paying a stipend to our presenter, the cost of this event is $12.00 per adult and $8.00 for children 12 and under, plus EventBrite fees. We are limiting attendence to 25 people.

If we're unable to recoup the stipend, we may cancel the event. If that should happen, all tickets will be refunded and you will be notified.

If a raindate is required, we will let you know. Unfortunately we cannot refund tickets for those who cannot attend the raindate!

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fungi-frolic-in-washington-crossing-state-park-tickets-1598553359129

Hopewell Township is sponsoring their annual Clean Sweep Day. Please join our WCPA Team to clean trash from the entire perimeter of the Park AND raise funds! We meet at the Township building and pick up bags, gloves and grabbers, then we go to town on trash : )

Every hour you work will net us a donation from the Township. Please email info@wcpa-nj.com to register for this particular event.

Washington Crossing State Park has changed in almost unimaginable ways over the last 100 years. From farm fields to gardens to plantations to old fields, shaped by deer, disease, and invasive species, the park represents a fluid and ever-changing landscape. Every aspect of the park has, whether directly or indirectly, been shaped by human-driven forces. Using Peter Osborne’s book, Where Washington Once Led, this talk aims to uncover some of these forces to reveal how the park has evolved, enabling participants to read the landscape through natural signs and artifacts.

Human landscapes cannot go “natural” on their own. We have the opportunity to restore this landscape, either along the lines of original designs such as with the George Washington Memorial Arboretum, which opened in 1932 and displayed native New Jersey shrubs and trees, or in the form of ecological restoration, aiming to return the human-dependent landscape back to nature. The talk will conclude with a discussion of the different options and the conservation work of the WCPA.

About the Presenter: Michael Rahtz is a board member of the Washington Crossing Park Association (WCPA) and the chair of the Nature Conservation and Education Committee. He has volunteered with the WCPA since 2017. He is a current Master of Landscape Architecture student at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and recently graduated from Northeastern University with a Master of Architecture. He has worked at a number of architecture and landscape architecture firms in Boston. Michael grew up in Titusville across the street from Washington Crossing State Park and has been a lifelong user of the park. An avid gardener, plant enthusiast, and conservationist, Michael has spent several years restoring land on his home property as well as within the park. Michael is interested in ecology and landscape history, particularly as read through the lens of plants as living artifacts, and how these can inform land management practices.

This online event is in collaboration with the Pennington Library. Click here to register: https://www.penningtonlibrary.org/wcsplandscape/

Fall is a busy time for birds in the Garden State! Washington Crossing State Park is uniquely situated to host an influx of migratory bird species as they use the Delaware River as a "migration super highway".  Join Washington Crossing State Park naturalist Joe Moore outside the Nature Center at 8am to begin the morning. This outing will include between 2 and 3 miles of walking the accessible pathways of the park. Please bring water, wear sturdy hiking shoes, and bring binoculars or a camera if you have them!

Great for all ages and levels of birding ability. New to birding? Come fall in love with the birds at Washington Crossing State Park’s Nature Center! This is a FREE event.

Clear trails with the Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We will work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.

If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.

Clear trails with the Senior Trail Stewards! Tools are provided, although you're encouraged to bring gloves or loppers if you like. Please dress in layers, wear a hat, work gloves, work or hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. We work in the rain & snow, but not in a downpour, so consider rain gear! Please also bring plenty of water and a snack.

If you've never volunteered with us before, please arrive at 8:30 at the Nature Center to fill out Volunteer Application Forms. Anyone who volunteers for two sessions will receive one of our AWESOME t-shirts! The Stewards meet for lunch afterwards, courtesy of the WCPA.