MTP Loves a Park

TANNERSVILLE — Rip Van Winkle’s joyful opening in Tannersville  (August 16-17) didn’t just feature warm welcomes, fantastic fun, and great food. It also made space for curious minds. Activity tables, set up by an MTP crew, lured children of all ages to engage with the lively nature in and around the park. 

Going nose-to-nose with real live butterflies in infancy, children pumped Science Educator Beverly Dezan, about every stage of Monarch chrysalis from birth to hatching. Brave young observers cradled sleek orange (imported) worms who were ingesting food and garden waste in a big yummy compost bucket. This replicable “system” was brought from Lexington by Devon Russ, Naturalist. As for local dragonflies, intent young artisans peered at these moving specks under the magnifying glass with the help of Lynn Byrne (former local teacher), and crafted dragonflies of their own with beads, wire and clippers. Each process had charts of the stages of development. But the biggest part of the fun, of course, was getting up close and personal with living, growing things. (Photos below.)

As always, the big MTP bin of seed packs was nearby, overflowing with flowers, vegetables, herbs to plant next spring or sooner in a sunny window. MTP materials were on hand to inform us all of helpful initiatives:  local food pantries, voter registration forms, annual Earth Day celebrations and trail cleanup days. But not only critters of the day were on display and community services current now. The past was also represented. Rip Van Winkle, as a park with lake and scenic backdrop, has a legacy that goes way back with many stages (like the chrysalis). Thanks to Marvin Seligman whose archival photo montage celebrates the hopes, possibilities and stewardship over time for this special area and illuminates its health and beauty. 

(To volunteer for trail cleanup days, please contact MTP:  mttopprogressivesny@gmail.com )