Morris County Celebrates Earth Day With Tree Planting at Central Park
Published on April 22, 2025
Third Annual Partnership with Atlantic Health Foundation and Shade Tree Commission
Morris County celebrated the 55th anniversary of Earth Day today with a ceremonial planting of Eastern Redbud trees at Central Park in Morris Plains, marking the third consecutive year county commissioners have joined representatives of Atlantic Health System and the Morris County Shade Tree Division to recognize the global event.
Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo joined Carolyn Dancy, Executive Director of Safety and Sustainability at Atlantic Health, Kris McMorland of the Shade Tree Commission, Alexandra Cerasiello of U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s office, along with county administration and staff for a tree planting ceremony held at the corner of Ruth Davis Drive and John J. Murphy Way, behind the county’s Department of Human Services Complex. Members of Atlantic Health System and the Morris County Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Pi Theta Omega also participated.
“Earth Day reminds us to take meaningful actions, big or small, to preserve and protect our planet. Morris County has a long tradition of protecting the environment, from preserving farmland and open space to maintaining the largest county park system in New Jersey. I’m proud to be part of this legacy,” said Commissioner Mastrangelo.
View More Photos of the Tree Planting Ceremony
The Earth Day 2025 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” reflects the collective impact individuals and communities can have on protecting the environment.
The tree planting initiative began in 2023 when Dancy approached the Shade Tree Division about establishing a partnership. Since then, the Atlantic Health Foundation has donated trees annually, with native species purchased from Cerbo’s Parsippany Greenhouse.
The first planting took place at the Morris County Library in 2023, followed by two plantings in 2024 at First Baptist Church/Our Place Day Shelter in Morristown and the Morris County Outreach Center on West Hanover Avenue, near the Morris County 9-11 Memorial in Parsippany.
This year, the Shade Tree Division prepared the Central Park site by removing two dying trees, grinding stumps and preparing the soil to ensure successful planting. Staff also staked and stabilized the new trees to support long-term growth.
“Morris County’s continued investment in tree planting reflects our broader commitment to open space, clean air and public health. Each tree is a step toward a healthier and more resilient environment,” said McMorland.
In recognition of more than 30 years of open space preservation in Morris County, the Office of Planning & Preservation recently launched an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap© highlighting the history and impact of the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund. Since 1994, the program has helped preserve more than 14,750 of the 18,300 acres protected through the county’s larger Preservation Trust Fund, awarding more than $300 million in grants to 37 of Morris County’s 39 municipalities.
Earth Day, observed annually on April 22, celebrates environmental protection and restoration efforts around the globe.
In addition to the tree planting, Atlantic Health System is also hosting two public paper shredding events tomorrow, April 23, from 8 to 11 a.m. The events will take place at two locations in Morristown: the West Parking Lot at 475 South Street and Parking Lot A of Simon A (visitor parking garage at the main entrance) of Morristown Medical Center, 100 Madison Ave. Both events are free to the public.
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Photo 1: From left, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), Inc., member Carolyne Wright-Hopkins, Executive Director of Safety and Sustainability at Atlantic Health; Carolyn Brown-Dancy; Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo; Alexandra Cerasiello, Congressional Aide, Office of U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill; AKA members Mitzi Abney-Wisdom and Vera Blossom; and AKA Pi Theta Omega Chapter President Reba Blake.
Photo 2: Digging a hole for an Eastern Red Bud tree are Atlantic Health Occupational Safety Officers from the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, from left, Joseph Colucci, Isander Vargas, Jr., Natori Burgess, Karen Coppa and Nisarg B. Vyas.