500 Main Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840   www.metuchenartscouncil.com

Contact:  Grace Shackney, graceshackney@gmail.com 732-549-3294

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   

 A GUIDED HIKING TOUR INTO THE PETER BARNES WILDLIFE PRESERVE SET FOR APRIL 20TH, PART OF THE WINDOWS OF UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC ART PROJECT.

 Metuchen, N.J. (March 26, 2024)

As part of the “Windows of Understanding” public art project, a hiking tour of the Peter Barnes Wildlife Preserve (formally known as the Dismal Swamp) will take place on Saturday, April 20.  The hike will be led by Walter Stochel who is a member of the Peter Barnes Wildlife Preserve Commission, and the artist Joseph Castronova.

Building a healthy community is the center of this year’s Windows of Understanding public art initiative that pairs local organizations dealing with human justice issues with artist facilitators to create original artwork illuminating local initiatives in New Brunswick, Highland Park, South Plainfield, Rahway and Metuchen.  In Metuchen, the Metuchen Arts Council and the Friends of Metuchen Arts focused on climate change and is spotlighting the inter-connected work of the Metuchen Environmental Commission, the Peter Barnes Wildlife Preserve Commission and the Lower Raritan Watershed.

The hike will be on the “Red Trail” that was the inspiration for artist Joseph Castronova’s work in the Metuchen Windows of Understanding art exhibit which is currently on display in the windows of Berkshire Hathaway and Merle Norman Cosmetics at 564 and 556 Middlesex Avenue in Metuchen.  Mr. Castronova, along with Commissioner Stochel will discuss along the way the different species of native plants and wildlife that populate the Preserve which straddles the towns of Metuchen, Edison and South Plainfield.  

The hiking tour on April 20th is free to the public.  Those wishing to take part in the hike should meet at 20 New York Boulevard in Edison at 10:00 a.m.  Parking is on the street.  The hike will take approximately an hour and a half.  The trail surface is pavement, woodchips, dirt and bog walk made of wood over wet areas. 

Commissioner Walter Stochel said, “We have had children and 80 year-olds hike this route.” He does, however, recommend that participants dress appropriately for the weather, wear sturdy footwear and be aware that there are no restrooms along the hike. 

For more information on Windows of Understanding, including a complete list of featured organizations, artists, participating storefronts in all five participating towns, and a full calendar of free events, please visit www.windowsofunderstanding.org. On Instagram at @windowsofunderstanding, #weseethroughhate.