Essex County Parks Photo Contest Ends Monday

The deadline for two Essex County-wide contests for fourth- and sixth-grade students is quickly approaching, according to officials in Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.'s office.

Fourth-grade students are invited to enter the “Why My Essex County Park is Important to Me.” Sixth-grade students are being encouraged to enter the "Essex County Cherry Blossom Poster Contest."

The deadline to enter the fourth-grade essay contest is next Monday, March 12. Winning essays will be announced on April 2.

The deadline to enter the poster contest is Thursday, March 22.

Both activities are free and winners will be recognized on stage during the Essex County Bloomfest on April 22.

“Our parks, reservations and recreation facilities have a significant place in our lives and the Cherry Blossom Festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Branch Brook Park every spring. These contests will help us raise awareness about the treasured open spaces in our communities and highlight their importance on our quality of life,” DiVincenzo said.

“The essay contest for fourth graders and poster contest for sixth graders is an opportunity for our students to share their insights and creativity and show why our parks are such beloved places,” he added.

Essays should be between 250 and 450 words, be typed on regular 8½ by 11 paper, and students can only submit one essay.

For the fourth-grade contest, entries must relate to the Essex County Park System, take a student perspective and be written in a student voice, have logical development and have ideas that build on one another and use language mechanics correctly.

Sixth-grade student entries are limited to one poster per student and must be submitted on 22-by-28 inch poster board. Posters may be done in marker, crayon, watercolor, ink, acrylic, colored pencil or tempura paint and must have the words “Essex County Cherry Tree Collection.” Collages, computer generated images or printed artwork is not accepted.

Posters will be on display in the Essex County Hall of Records First Floor Lobby during the month of April. Winning posters will be announced by April 6.

Registration forms are available at essexcountynj.org by clicking on the Cherry Blossom icon.

Entry forms, essays and posters can be submitted to:

Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs, Essex County Kip’s Castle Park, Attn: Kate Hartwyk, 22 Crestmont Road,Verona, NJ 07044.