Cranford and Garwood Volunteers to Create Fifth Meadow at Unami Park Aug. 22

Cranford residents are invited to join their Garwood neighbors this month to help rewild Unami Park, a shared community resource near the borders of Cranford, Garwood, and Westfield. The Unami Forest People, in partnership with the Garwood Green Team, will hold a volunteer work session on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Union County Life covers Cranford environmental initiatives and community volunteer opportunities across all 21 Union County municipalities.

What to Expect

The event is designed to make participation easy and flexible. Volunteers can stay for as little as 30 minutes or work through the entire session. Participants will have the opportunity to tour four meadows already established through the ongoing rewilding project and help create the park's fifth meadow. The goal of the rewilding project is to increase biodiversity by encouraging native plants and removing nonnative invasive species.

Getting There and What to Bring

Volunteers should meet at the park entrance at Hickory Avenue and Center Street in Garwood. Participants are asked to wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, a hat, and gloves, and to bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

The Work So Far

This August volunteer session builds on substantial restoration work completed at Unami Park in 2025. The Garwood Green Team refurbished the main trail, installed two bat houses, and cleaned birdhouses. They replaced and maintained protective tree tubes used to guard young trees from deer.

The team germinated and planted approximately 850 to 900 native seedlings and planted nine native sumac trees. They also installed 18 educational tree signs with QR codes throughout the park and secured a grant to create a pollinator meadow—work that extends to both communities who use the park.

About Unami Park

Unami Park is one of 36 parks in the Union County park system, which encompasses approximately 6,200 acres. The park provides trails and green space for residents throughout the area, making it a shared resource that benefits multiple communities.

Whether you're a longtime environmental steward or new to volunteer work, Unami Park's August 22 session offers neighbors a chance to invest in their community's green spaces and support native plants and wildlife. Even 30 minutes makes a difference.

Find more Cranford community events and environmental initiatives on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: How can Cranford residents volunteer at Unami Park?
A: The Unami Forest People and Garwood Green Team invite Cranford residents to volunteer on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon at Unami Park. Meet at the park entrance at Hickory Avenue and Center Street in Garwood. Participants can stay for as little as 30 minutes.

Q: What will volunteers do at Unami Park?
A: Volunteers will help create the park's fifth meadow and have the opportunity to tour four meadows already established. The work supports the rewilding project's goal of increasing biodiversity through native plants and removing invasive species.

Q: What should I wear to volunteer?
A: Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, a hat, and gloves. Bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Q: Do I need to commit to the full time?
A: No. The event is designed for flexibility. Participants can stay for as little as 30 minutes or work through the entire 9 a.m. to noon session.

Q: What has been accomplished at Unami Park?
A: In 2025, the Garwood Green Team refurbished the main trail, installed 2 bat houses, cleaned birdhouses, and replaced protective tree tubes. They planted approximately 850-900 native seedlings and 9 native sumac trees, installed 18 educational tree signs with QR codes, and secured a grant for a pollinator meadow.

Q: Why is rewilding important?
A: Rewilding increases biodiversity by encouraging native plants and removing nonnative invasive species. This work supports native wildlife and creates healthier ecosystems.

Q: Is Unami Park only for Cranford residents?
A: No. Unami Park is one of 36 parks in the Union County park system and serves residents throughout the area near Cranford, Garwood, and Westfield.

Q: Who organized this volunteer opportunity?
A: The Unami Forest People, in partnership with the Garwood Green Team, organized the volunteer session.