FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – The Freehold Township Shade Tree Commission has announced the winners of a youth photo contest in celebration of Arbor Day, which also marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Durand Park Memorial Arboretum, 225 Randolph Road.
April 24 was designated as Arbor Day 2020.
Young residents of Freehold Township were invited to submit photos they took of Durand Park. Winners were selected in the elementary school, middle school and high school divisions.
“We are so proud of each and every one the students who participated in our first photo contest,” said Thom Ritchie, chair of the Shade Tree Commission. “The photos really showcased the beauty and diversity of the park, the lake and the trails, but the best part was that we were able to see the park through the eyes of these young photographers.”
The winning images will be featured in a new brochure for Durand Park and will be on display this fall at the municipal building. The student winners will be recognized by the Township Committee, according to a press release.
The honorees were:
• Elementary School: First Place – Sabrina Winchman, C. Richard Applegate Elementary School.
Sabrina, who submitted an artistic photo that depicted the fall trees reflecting in the lake at Durand Park, was surprised she won the elementary school category, saying, “Oh, wow. I did? That’s so cool!”
• Middle School: First Place – Jake Winchman, Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School;
Jake’s photo featured fallen leaves and bare trees under a beautiful waning sun. He was thrilled he won the middle school category.
“I had fun taking the photo and it will be cool to see my picture used in the park brochure,” he said.
Honorable mention in the middle school division was awarded to Clara Smela.
• High School: First Place – Andrew Jelinsky, junior, Marine Academy of Science and Technology.
Andrew said he often visits Durand Park to relax, fish and kayak. He took his winning photo of the trees changing color while taking a quick rest during a late afternoon run.
“The whole landscape was bathed in golden light. Everything from the sun to the falling leaves to the few tall grasses that had not yet been cut.
“I stood for a few moments and before finishing my run I decided to take a picture at the edge of the trail.
“It’s an honor to receive this award. It means so much that I have made a difference to the park I love so much,” Andrew said.
Honorable mention in the high school division was awarded to Kayleigh Lin, senior, Freehold Township High School.
• Special Mention – Eileen Ladley, for submitting several action photos of her sons Kenneth and Anthony Knapp fishing and enjoying the park.
Arbor Day is an annual observance held on the last Friday in April that celebrates the role of trees in people’s lives and promotes tree planting and care, according to the press release.
Each year, the Shade Tree Commission typically plants a tree and holds a public ceremony in recognition of Arbor Day at Durand Park and at a local elementary school, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 ceremony had to be cancelled.
A tree will eventually be planted to mark Arbor Day 2020 and the 20th anniversary of Durand Park, but without public participation. Images of the new tree will be shared on Freehold Township social media at a later date, according to the press release.
The Shade Tree Commission is a group of volunteer residents who work to ensure the beautification of Freehold Township by planting trees, caring for existing trees and promoting the importance of this valuable living natural resource, according to the press release.