Girl Scouts add colorful touch to Morales Park in Raritan Township as part of Bronze Award project
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Girl Scouts Troop 80744 added a vibrant touch to the Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve on July 11 by painting benches for the park’s outdoor classroom, supporting Raritan Township’s ongoing reforestation efforts.
The project, which took the troop three meetings to complete, is part of their Bronze Award effort—the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn. The girls selected the preserve, commonly referred to as “Morales Park,” because of its importance to the local community and its natural beauty.
“Morales Park is used by so many people in the Flemington area that we wanted to make sure that it continues to be a place our neighbors can enjoy for years to come,” said Junior Girl Scout Angela Cifelli.
Most of the scouts in Troop 80744 have been together since their early days as Daisies, the entry-level program for Girl Scouts ages 5 to 7. Their shared dedication was evident as they worked to enhance the preserve’s outdoor learning space with hand-painted, colorful benches intended to make the space more welcoming.
The 52-acre Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve, named for a beloved former local teacher, is located at the corner of Capner Street and Old Croton Road. Donated to the township in 1972, it features a series of forested trails, scenic loops, and connects to the Hunterdon County Upland Reserve and Mine Brook Park. The outdoor classroom and seating areas give visitors a place to relax and enjoy nature.
According to Troop Leader Jenn Schwolow, the project isn’t finished yet. In addition to the classroom benches, the troop is working on painting the preserve’s bridge.
Township officials expressed appreciation for the troop’s contributions and encouraged residents to visit the preserve to enjoy the new artwork and peaceful surroundings.
