Ten Activities to Enjoy in Cranford This Spring

Celebrating the arrival of spring with your family and friends can be really fun and refreshing after a long winter. Now that the weather is finally improving, it's time to break free from cabin fever, get some fresh air and enjoy fun outdoor activities.

Here are 10 fun ideas to try in Cranford:

1)    Take to the trails. Explore a trail near you at a local park, including Nomahegan Park on Springfield Avenue, or plan a day trip and a longer hike at the Watchung Reservation, or head to Essex County and hike the trails at the South Mountain Reservation. You can also check out Trailside Nature and Science Center in nearby Mountainside. The center hosts a variety of activities from nature walks and horseback riding to crafts for families.

2)    Zip to the zoo or your local wildlife or bird sanctuary. Beat the summer crowds and enjoy a visit to Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, or visit parks such as Nomahegan and Echo Lake. You may find the animals are outside and more active as they emerge to enjoy the warmer weather too.  

3)    Hit the water. You can rent a kayak or canoe at the Cranford Canoe Club and head down the Rahway River.  

4)    Serve Cranford together by sprucing up your favorite place to play outdoors. Check out The Hanson Park Conservancy or the Cranford Recreation Department for opportunities to volunteer with friends or family to clean up a nearby park, playground or beach.

5)    Dig out your wheels. Time to break out your bikes from the garage. You can get your bike a tune-up at Cranford Bike Shop on North Union Ave. Ride together on a bike-friendly trail at Nomahegan or Echo Lake Park.  

6)    Build a fort or a tree house. If your family includes kids, spring is an ideal time to build a fun place to play. A great source of inspiration is The Treehouse Book by Peter Nelson and David Larkin, available from Amazon or Barnes and Noble in the nearby township of Clark.  

7)    Start a garden. Now is the time to get your garden beds ready for planting by putting down compost. New to gardening? The Green Thumb Garden Club of Cranford can help you build your garden beds and offer advice on which flowers and veggies will do well in your climate. And kids can help start the garden too by planting seeds indoors in empty egg cartons that can be transferred outside into your garden beds in just a few weeks. You can find great soil and seeds to get started at Dreyer Farms on Springfield Avenue.

8)    Learn some new navigation skills by going letterboxing. Letterboxing is an outdoor hunt for hidden treasures using navigational tools. You can find parks participating in letterboxing in your area here.

9)    Enjoy your flea and farmer’s markets.  In many parts of the country, outdoor markets can be found all year round or from early spring to late fall.  

10)  Go fly a kite. The wild wind makes spring an ideal time to enjoy kite flying.  

TELL US: How will you celebrate the arrival of spring here in town? Share your ideas for getting outside and enjoying the warmer weather in the comments section below.