Fairy Magic Comes to Morris Plains

Last weekend fairies, young and old, gathered at Watnong Park in Morris Plains. As the sun was setting, visitors enjoyed the many little fairy houses placed along a path through the woods that were all glowing with lights. The park, located just off Grannis Avenue, features a pond and waterfall, playground, pickleball court, and picnic areas. After children enjoyed trying to spot the little fairies hidden along the path, they were treated to a variety of crafts and games. The event was hosted by the Morris Plains Beautification Committee and Morris Plains Clean Communities with support from the Morris Plains Department of Public Works and Police Department.

Classical music, provided by local residents Derek Nieto and Olivia Drivas, set the mood for the evening. Children and their parents were guided down a long path of the little houses by members of the local Girl Scouts, who made the event especially magical with tales of skittish fairies who may be frightened by too much noise or light. Once the children had visited all the fairy houses, they were given the option to choose from various projects, puzzles to take home, as well as a selection of games to play during the event.

Lee Connor from Plan Better Morris Plains felt that “the Fairy Walk was wondrous and magical. So much love, creativity, and joy!” She is hoping this might end up being an annual event.

The evening brought together members of the area Girl Scouts, Plan Better Morris Plains, the Morris Plains Co-op Playschool, the Educational Foundation of Morris Plains, as well as the Beautification Committee and Clean Communities members who had a number of give-a-ways, crafts, and games for the visitors. The children could make their own fairy wands, take home fairy themed puzzles and game sheets, decorate votive bags, take daisy seeds home to plant, make little dragonflies from clothespins, pick up a fairy bookmark, get a butterfly or flower tattoo and have their faces painted to match their fairy costumes. The first twenty-five visitors that came in fairy costumes received a gift bag filled with goodies (an umbrella, travel mug, recycled crayons, note pads and much more). Everyone who came received a special flashlight to commemorate the event.

Councilwoman Nancy Verga who stopped by with her daughter stated that, "the Fairy Walk event was a terrific example of why Morris Plains is the best place to raise a family. The coordinators pulled a team of volunteers together who envisioned an event that perfectly captured the wonder and imagination of children.”

DID YOU MISS THE EVENT = NO PROBLEM!

The Fairy Walk is now on permanent display. Stop by anytime and look for the signs past the pickleball court. But remember to stay on the path to avoid any nasty poison ivy and look carefully to see if you find a fairy!