Spring Carnival is Back Again at Croydon Woods
On May 15, the entrance to our Croydon Woods Preserve looked a bit different from the way it usually does. A lively crowd of more than 300 neighbors, families, and nature lovers showed up for our annual Spring Carnival, an afternoon that was equal parts a celebration of nature and connection with our community.
A Day Built for Exploring
From 4:00 to 6:00 PM, the preserve buzzed with activity. Our environmental educators led guided hikes through Croydon Woods, pointing out the seasonal changes that spring brings to the forest and answering questions from kids and adults alike. For many families, it was their first time exploring the preserve’s trails, and that is exactly the kind of connection we hope events like this can spark.
Animal lovers gathered around the Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center table, where two animal ambassadors stole the show: Pugsley the snapping turtle and Nimbus the rat snake. Throughout the afternoon, tables across the carnival offered something for every interest. Kids built with Legos, got their faces painted, made their own bookmarks and pins, watched hands-on science demonstrations, and dove into interactive activities focused on their local communities, wildlife and forest ecosystems. Prizes and giveaways kept the energy high, and over at the Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library table, families got a look inside our Nature Backpacks, which are available for you to check out at the library and use.
Kids also picked up a carnival passport and set off to get it stamped at each table, a perfect excuse to visit every corner of the event and meet every partner along the way. And it wasn’t just educational organizations who showed up. The Bristol Township Police Department, Croydon Fire Company, and local EMS were there too, giving families an opportunity to meet the first responders who serve their community.
The food trucks from Kono Pizza and Kona Ice Peak (both completely free for attendees) kept everyone fueled, while live music from Alexandr Kislitsyn gave the event a beautiful soundtrack.
More Than Just a Carnival
This event was special not just because of the activities, but because of the community that showed up to make them happen. We were honored to share the preserve with an incredible group of partners: A Woman’s Place, Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, African American Museum of Bucks County, Bristol Cares/No Longer Bound, Bristol Township Police Department, Colonial LUG, Croydon Fire Company, Delaware Canal State Park, Gilmore & Associates, Kid Strong Bensalem, Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library, and Silver Lake Nature Center. Each one brought their own flavor of hands-on fun, education, and community spirit to the preserve.
“It’s amazing to see the transformation of this preserve since we acquired it at the end of 2015,” said Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller, Heritage Conservancy’s Director of Education and Community Programs. “To see the joy, excitement, and awe on faces of all ages – of returning guests and new guests to visit Croydon Woods Nature Preserve, was really amazing. We couldn’t have transformed the property without the community and I’m so glad this special place is now a place for everyone to find themselves in nature.”
This kind of turnout and collaboration does not happen without support. We are grateful for funding from Remake Learning Days and the William Penn Foundation, which helped make this free community event possible for everyone who showed up for conservation and their community.
