Spring is here and the weather is starting to warm up! People are beginning to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. Join us on April 22nd for the Hudson County Improvement Authority's 27th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Liberty State Park!
HCIA's 27th Annual Earth Day Celebration
Earth Day kicks-off at 10 am with the Annual Earth Day 5K Run/Walk along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway at Liberty State Park. This race offers a flat and fast USATF-NJ Certified 5K route through Liberty State Park and has become an annual favorite for residents and visitors. All participants will receive a race t-shirt (while supplies last) and can enjoy post-race refreshments at the Earth Day Fair (more info on that below) Register now and don't miss out! On-site registration will be available but there is no guarantee of a t-shirt so register now because it's a one-of-a-kind 2017 HCIA Earth Day 5K Run/Walk T-Shirt! Oh, and did we mention that trophies will be awarded to the overall Male and Female finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place overall, as well as medals to 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Male and Female finishers in the following categories: 14 & younger, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, & 80+!
Ready for some fun? Then don’t miss the Earth Day Kids Kingdom and Fair from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm at Liberty State Park! On the Earth Day Main Stage, attendees can enjoy live entertainment including the Envirojuggler, Michael & the Rockness Monsters as well as a visit from the Field Station: Dinosaurs! Kids can enjoy arts and crafts activities, five inflatable rides, face painting, entertainers strolling throughout the crowd as well as kite flying. Visit the tents for a variety of exhibitors where you can learn about the work of the Hudson County Improvement Authority, the Hudson County Transportation Management Association, learn more about recycling and even receive a free sapling that you can plant at home! All of this fun will make you hungry! Don't worry, Earth Day will include some great food vendors including Tony's Sausage, Ben & Jerry's, The Empanada Guy and Maisson Crepes. Dig in!
Are you ready to join us for Earth Day 2017? Please consider using public transportation (remember, it's Earth Day!) using bus, ferry or light rail to Liberty State Park Light Rail Station. For those driving, parking will be available at the Ferry Lot and the Light Rail Station. Shuttle buses will also be available.
While Earth Day is a lot of fun- (trust us!) it is also meant to build awareness in the community on the importance of Earth Day and making it Earth Day everyday! At the HCIA, we do this by creating free family activities that educate our residents on how to be more environmentally conscious at home, at school and at work!
Earth Day- A Global Phenomenon
Earth Day began in 1970 and was the concept of US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin after witnessing the effects of a massive oil spill along the California Coast in 1969. On April 22, 1970, “20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies.” It is obvious that the first Earth Day made a difference- by the end of 1970, the United States enacted legislation that created the US Environmental Protection Agency and saw the passage of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act- mission accomplished! By 1990, Earth Day went Global and mobilized over 200 million people across 141 countries to raise issues on concern in regards to the environment.
Today, Earth Day is celebrated in more than 193 countries and is coordinated by the Earth Day Network. With events including peaceful protests, environmental clean-ups, tree plantings, educational events and fairs, Earth Day is celebrated to raise awareness of sustainable practices that help protect the Earth’s natural environment.
On April 22, 2020, the Earth Day Network will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. In preparation for this milestone, the Earth Day Network has set some ambitious goals to mark this occasion.
HCIA Earth Day Through the Years
Hudson County’s first Earth Day Fair was held in 1990 to mark the 20th Anniversary of National Earth Day. The 1990-event was held at the Lincoln Monument area of Lincoln Park in Jersey City. This small event was well-received by residents who looked to return year after year. By 1993, the event grew to a larger space in Lincoln Park and was held in the Fountain-area. We must have done something right because by 1998 the event outgrew Lincoln Park and was moved to Liberty State Park and was merged with the Earth Day 5K Run. The HCIA Earth Day is held rain or shine through the use of the Historic Central Railroad Terminal. Over the 27 years of Earth Day in Hudson County, the event has grown to become the largest and longest running Earth Day event in New Jersey with close to 15,000 people attending each year. Join us this year and be a part of our history as we embark on the future! See you there!
