On Saturday, May 3, 2025, Braddock Park held its annual Earth Day celebration in the Veterans Memorial area. The event lasted through the afternoon and drew many families from the area. The clear and warm weather made it a good day for outdoor activities.
The event included several attractions for children and families, such as bounce houses, large slides, a trackless train, and a petting zoo. A live DJ provided music throughout the afternoon. Families also visited a Disney-themed photo booth and took part in arts and crafts projects.
As part of the event’s focus on environmental education, more than a dozen local organizations set up information tables and handed out free items. Each booth provided materials related to public health, recycling, sustainability, and community services. For example, Hoboken Family Planning offered free cancer screenings to visitors.
Hot meals were served to attendees by the Hudson County Schools of Technology, who brought their mobile kitchen to the park. Nearby, The Corn Guys offered freshly prepared corn snacks to hungry guests, and Happy Cones handed out soft-serve ice cream, which was especially popular on the warm spring afternoon.
Later in the day, a raffle was held. Four people won prizes—either a free bicycle or a gift basket.
- Braddock Park hosted a family-friendly Earth Day festival featuring eco-awareness booths, fun rides, food, and prizes.
- Local leaders and dozens of organizations participated, offering giveaways and educational materials.
- North Bergen High School students celebrated Earth Day with hands-on activities, garden work, and a special art display.
Local Leaders and Organizations Show Support
Several local officials attended and greeted guests at the event. These included County Commissioner Robert Baselice, Sheriff Frank Schillari, Assemblyman Julio Marenco, and Municipal Utilities Authority Executive Director Frank Pestana.
Multiple community organizations also participated in the celebration. These included the Hackensack Riverkeeper, Hudson County Improvement Authority, Hudson Regional Health Commission, and Hudson County Sheriff’s Office. Each group spoke to residents about their services and provided resources focused on environmental or community well-being.
The Hudson River Apiary talked to visitors about the importance of bees. Hudson SPEAKS Against Sexual Violence raised awareness about their services. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs shared tips on avoiding scams.
The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority offered updates on local transportation efforts, while the North Bergen Police Department connected with residents. The Plant Based Treaty group promoted plant-based diets as a way to reduce environmental harm. The Cub Scouts of America also took part in the event.
North Bergen High School Students Take Action for Earth Day
North Bergen High School also celebrated Earth Day with a full day of student-led activities. The Environmental Club organized a campus-wide clean-up, maintained the school garden and greenhouse, and created chalk art across the sidewalks.
Students also made efforts to improve classroom recycling and wore matching shirts with an Earth Day theme. One student dressed up as Captain Planet and walked through the school to add to the day’s theme.
Home Depot of North Bergen donated $115 to help the students buy supplies to upgrade the school garden. The store had originally helped the students build the garden with support from the Board of Education.
Staff and security helped preserve the students’ chalk drawings by covering them with a tarp. Mr. Billy Picinich, the head of maintenance, and night security guards Mayla Dominguez and Bobby Nelson put the tarp in place before it rained that evening.
The day also included a creative project. Ms. Sapoff and her fashion students designed a gown made from reused materials. Mr. Defindini displayed it during the school’s art show to highlight sustainability through fashion.
The students thanked several school and community leaders for their help and support. These included Dr. Solter, Mr. Cabrera, Mr. Locriccio, Dr. Keshishian, and Mr. Francisco from Home Depot.
