By Vita Duva
RUMSON – The man widely regarded as the father of American landscape architecture – Frederick Law Olmsted – has legendary ties to this upscale suburban borough. And now two occasions will honor the man who co-designed both the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. and Central Park in New York City, among many other high-profile urban parks.
Olmsted designed with natural elements in mind, letting the land speak to the design rather than vice versa. He is considered an important member, if not leader, of the early conservationist movement, encouraging the government to preserve lands for public use. He was instrumental in saving Niagara Falls from threatened industrialization in the late 1800s.
An Olmsted-Inspired Project
The Rumson Environmental Commission was recently awarded a $10,000 environmental grant for its “Emerald Necklace Green Infrastructure Project” from New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water and the largest investor-owned water utility in the state.
Inspired by Olmsted and his relationship to Rumson, the community improvement project will include three demonstration rain gardens complete with bioswales throughout the municipality.
“Our rain garden project will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frederick Law Olmsted’s birth,” Heather Robinson, a commission member, told The Two River Times. “Through his extensive legacy in transforming the modern American landscape, (Olmsted) promoted accessible green spaces which we are emulating by creating a series of rain gardens in town and encouraging residents to add their own gardens to the ‘emerald necklace.’ ”
The environmental commission has promised to host several workshops in order to help educate the public on how to create their own rain garden and will provide its participants with starter kits. Webinars will also be posted online as the commission further works to build a Rain Garden Ambassador Program that will allow the project to ultimately become more sustainable in the future.
“We are so thankful to NJ American Water. This grant provides our town with a fantastic opportunity to lead by example and show our residents how they can implement beautiful green infrastructure techniques, like rain gardens, as a way to help protect the water quality of our rivers,” said Kristen Rhodes Hall, chair of the environmental commission. “The rain gardens we install will create the first three jewels in the emerald necklace and will provide workshops, starter kits and educational supports the community will need to add their own jewels to the necklace.”
NJ American Water initially announced the recipients of its 2022 Environmental Grant Program last week in honor of Earth Day. The company awarded a total of $41,000 to five organizations and community groups within its service areas that are engaged in sustainability projects to improve both water source and watershed protection. The other awardees included Cranford Public Library, The Hanson Foundation, Somerset County OEM and West Orange Township Environmental and Open Space Commission.
“At NJ American Water, we recognize that people are not the only ones who need clean water – the environment depends on it too,” Danielle Kearsley, environmental program lead of NJ American Water, stated in the company’s press release. “That is why we are proud to offer over $40,000 in funding this year to support these innovative projects. By investing in the restoration and protection of our watersheds, we can help preserve our water sources and the life they sustain for years to come.”
NJ American Water’s Environmental Grant Program was established in 2018 and has since provided more than $429,000 in funding to over 50 innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect watersheds, surface water and groundwater supplies in communities directly served by the company. NJ American Water provides water and wastewater services to approximately 2.8 million people.
The Environmental Commission’s upcoming “Going Native” workshop will take place in town at Bingham Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 11. In collaboration with The American Littoral Society, guests will learn about the benefits of adding native plants to their own landscape. Other panelists participating in the workshop will include the NJ Audubon Society, Rumson Garden Club, Sickles Market and Flower to the People.
Church to Throw Olmsted a 200th Birthday ‘Party’
St. George’s-by-the-River Episcopal Church is hosting a lecture and formal tea in Ralph Hall from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 14 in celebration of the landscape architect’s life and ongoing legacy.
Local historian and longtime Rumson resident Roberta H. Van Anda will present her lecture entitled, “The Frederick Law Olmsted Firm and the Strong Family: How America’s Most Famous Landscaping Company Came to Rumson to
Design a County Churchyard.”
“Landscape plans, planting lists and fascinating correspondence provided the research for this discussion of how America’s foremost landscaping firm came to design St. George’s-by-the-River, a country churchyard in Rumson, New Jersey,” Van Anda explained of her upcoming lecture and of the extensive work she has put into the topic.
“I am looking forward to the chance to share this fascinating history of the Strong family and the Olmsted firm that has been lost to the shadows of time for more than a century,” she said. “I am also looking forward to the wonderful afternoon tea being planned.”
According to a press release recently issued by the church, as of late there has been renewed interest in Olmsted’s work and his aesthetic for using the restorative effects of natural scenery to counteract the hyperactive effects of modern cities. Cities across the country are now making efforts to restore some of Olmsted’s original landscapes.
Proceeds from the event, which is sold out, will benefit the church at 7 Lincoln Ave. and the Olmsted Landscaping Fund.
This article originally appeared in the April 28 – May 4, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
