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7/4/2024: Preserve @ Play Offers a Family Friendly Day of Fun

Crowds returned to see Lolly Hopwood preform at the historic Stone Bridge

Crowds returned to see Lolly Hopwood preform at the historic Stone Bridge

2024 Preserve @ Play Offers a Family Friendly Day of Fun

Saturday, June 15, was full of sun and a refreshing breeze. We could not have asked for a more perfect day to welcome 500 participants to our third annual Preserve @ Play event, where we celebrate families getting out into nature and experiencing the Preserve with their littlest explorers. Activities  included woodland dance parties, live performances by Lolly Hopwood; the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ traveling Woodmobile exhibit; an interactive theater; squirrel olympics; bird nest building (including a human-sized one); and a wildlife presentation by the Aark Wildife Rehabilitation and Education Center.

"It was a joy to meet and connect with so many of our Preserve @ Play attendees throughout the day," says Preserve Executive Director Pete Couchman. "We learned that many, if not most, of our attendees were first-time visitors to the Preserve. That is both exciting and inspiring! Preserve @ Play gets better and better each year, and we are already planning for 2025."

Preserve @ Play was originally conceived in 2022 in 2022 when the Preserve witnessed a remarkable surge in families visiting the Preserve during the COVID-19 pandemic. This event offered a safe and meaningful outdoor family experience for our youngest change makers, and has since become a signature annual event for the community.

Preserve Executive Director Pete Couchman (left) stands with Capital Health Director of Strategic Partnerships Rebecca Kelly (center) and Preserve Director of Donor and Partner Relations Sarah Norris (Right).

Preserve Executive Director Pete Couchman (left) stands with Capital Health Director of Strategic Partnerships Rebecca Kelly (center) and Preserve Director of Donor and Partner Relations Sarah Norris (Right).

We thank our generous inaugural event sponsor, Capital Health, for making this wonderful day possible.

“Capital Health is proud to sponsor the Preserve at Play for the second year in a row,” said Rebecca Kelly, director of strategic partnerships at Capital Health. "Once again, the Preserve’s team did an incredible job creating a one-of-a-kind experience for families and kids. Upon arrival, guests were able to immerse themselves in this fantastic ‘outdoor classroom,’ which was both educational and fun.

“As healthcare professionals, we advocate for spending time outdoors whenever possible to reap the mental and physical benefits that only nature can provide—and this is the ideal place to do so,” Kelly continued. “As a parent, I loved all the opportunities for kids to enjoy the games, interactive displays, music and wildlife programs. The staff truly outdid themselves! On behalf of Capital Health, we extend our heartfelt thanks for putting on another successful event and for being such a valued community partner.”

Preserve @ Play is an annual event and will return next year. We hope you look forward to it just as much as the Preserve team does.

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