"The only qualification to volunteer is to show up." That's how the Fyke Nature Association describes its Green Way Meadow Fall Planting. It's also the plainest way to explain why the most interesting thing in Allendale this month sits at a dead end and not on West Allendale Avenue.
At the far end of Green Way, volunteers are spending four weekends this fall putting 15 native species and more than 4,500 plants into the ground by the Celery Farm's alternate entrance. The last two weekends are October 10–11 and October 17–18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Franklin Turnpike carries the Celery Farm's main entrance and Rohsler's Allendale Nursery, which runs the town's best-known fall tradition. Allendale's October is spread along that road and around that meadow, and both are worth seeing before November.
A Meadow With Twenty Years of Work Under It
The meadow at the end of Green Way has no official name. Fyke's own page points out that it exists in its current form largely because of one volunteer, Fred Weber, and suggests "Fred's Field" would be the fair name. It then notes that he would rather people just call it the Green Way Meadow.
This fall's planting is the latest chapter in a long effort.
| Year | What happened at the Green Way Meadow |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Three hackberry trees planted. Two survived, the large one in the northeast corner and a smaller one on the right as you enter from Green Way |
| April–June 2010 | Fred Weber and Mike Limatola treated the mugwort that had overgrown the area, then seeded switch grass, big bluestem, Indian grass, little bluestem and wild oats |
| Around 2018 | Two more hackberries planted on the left side of the entrance |
| 2024 | Mugwort and other introduced plants had moved back in. Fyke conceived the Legacy Meadow Replanting Project, and clearing began in late summer |
| Fall 2025 | 12,050 square feet cleared of mugwort, porcelain berry and mile-a-minute, then planted |
| This fall | 15 native species and more than 4,500 plants added over four weekends from September 26 to October 18 |
The 2024 entry explains why this year matters. Earlier work had pushed the mugwort back, but the invasives returned, so the current project started over. Fyke's timeline for fall 2025 records 30 work dates across nine weeks, with 63 volunteers putting in 1,085 hours.
This Fall Is the Bigger Planting
Fyke's 2025 planting page lists 3,400 plugs across 16 species. The habitat timeline puts the figure at 3,600. Either way, this fall's goal of more than 4,500 plants is a clear step up from last year, and it goes into the ground next to what volunteers planted then.
Fyke hasn't published the 2026 species list. Last year's included bee balm, wild bergamot, red columbine, coreopsis, blue mistflower, dense blazing star, early goldenrod, wrinkle-leaf goldenrod, narrow-leaf mountain mint, spotted horsemint and bearded tongue. Big bluestem, little bluestem, Indian grass and switch grass carried on the 2010 seeding.
Donations pay for all of it. Fyke says donations are the only funding for its volunteer habitat-restoration projects. Its current wish list describes a $5,000 matching fund offered by a supportive local family. The group's summer 2026 newsletter credits supporter donations with making both the spring and fall 2025 plantings possible.
If you plan to go, Fyke asks volunteers to fill out its registration form. That puts you on the email list for planting dates, times and any weather changes.
The pollinator theme carries over to Sunday, October 11. At 3 p.m., the Englewinds Woodwind Quintet plays "What's the Buzz?", a free bee-themed chamber concert at Calvary Lutheran Church, 165 W. Crescent Avenue. Donations are accepted. You could plant bee balm in the morning and hear the concert that afternoon.
The Rest of the Celery Farm in October
The meadow is a small corner of a much larger place. The Celery Farm is a 107-acre freshwater wetland, open during daylight all year, and the main loop around the lake is 1.1 miles. The borough appoints a Celery Farm Warden to look after the preserve. Deputy marsh wardens and Fyke volunteers help. According to the borough, Fyke volunteers build and maintain the footpaths, the three observation platforms and the nesting boxes.
From the Franklin Turnpike main entrance, Warden's Watch is closest. It sits near the southwest corner of Lake Appert, by the parking area. The Pirie-Mayhood Tower is across the lake on the east side. Every Sunday from 8 to 9 a.m., Fyke holds an "Hour on the Tower." The meeting spot moves between the Pirie-Mayhood Tower and Warden's Watch, so check with the organizer before you walk over.
Fyke's October 12, 2025 Big Sit gives a sense of an October morning on the lake. Observers recorded Wood Duck, Gadwall, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal, plus yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, raptors, Palm Warbler and fall sparrows. That list covers one day last year, so it isn't a guarantee for any given Sunday. Fyke points visitors to eBird for current sightings.
Same Road, Different Season: Rohsler's
Franklin Turnpike's other October draw is at number 100. Rohsler's Allendale Nursery runs its Old-Fashioned Hayrides through its 16-acre historic nursery and horse farm on weekends from September 26 through November 1, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There's also a bonus weekday ride on Monday, October 12.
A ticket is $12 per person for ages 2 and up, and it includes a sugar pumpkin and a cup of fresh cider. After the ride, children can visit the barnyard animals, try the children's maze and play carnival games. Group rides and private parties run mostly on weekdays. A small number of weekend group rides go out at 9 a.m., before public rides start, and Rohsler's takes reservations by phone at 201-327-3156.
The two Franklin Turnpike stops run on different schedules. The hayrides go on for two more weekends after the meadow planting ends on October 18. On Saturday, October 17, both are open at once.
Saturday, October 17
That Saturday has more happening at once than any other day on the borough's fall calendar:
- 10 a.m. to noon: The Green Team collection in the Borough Hall parking lot takes styrofoam, batteries, grocery bags and canned goods.
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Lee Memorial Library's third annual Family Day fundraiser at the Red Barn at Crestwood, with entertainment, games, crafts, a photo booth and food trucks. Registration is required, and early-bird tickets are $12.
- 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Hayrides at Rohsler's, 100 Franklin Turnpike.
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: The final Green Way Meadow planting weekend begins. Sunday, October 18 is the last session.
The Green Team collection comes back on Saturday, November 21, also from 10 a.m. to noon. If the October run doesn't fit, that's your next chance. The library's Family Day happens only once.
What Changed Downtown This Month
Downtown's October news is mostly about curbs. As of Friday, October 2, "Safety Sticks" parking cameras are running on parts of West Allendale Avenue. They photograph vehicles in "No Parking" zones around the clock and record the date, time and location. Allendale police review each photo before a summons goes out by mail to the registered owner. The borough says the cameras are meant for cars parked on yellow curbs near crosswalks and intersections, and that officers will keep enforcing other violations in the business districts.
More changes are lined up. The September borough newsletter says Allendale is preparing to repave, restripe and re-sign the transit-lot parking area, working with NJ Transit. No start date has been given. On September 30, the borough asked for proposals from consultants to run a borough-wide traffic and safety study. Proposals are due October 20 at 1 p.m. If you have thoughts on any of this, Coffee with the Mayor is Saturday, October 10, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Community Center.
Leaf season has also started at home. Curbside leaf-bag pickup begins the week of October 5 and alternates weekly between the west and east sides of town. Brown biodegradable bags have been available since September 28 at the DPW, 101 New Street, and at the Compost/Recycling Center, 300 W. Crescent Avenue.
Native plantings can change how a yard looks from season to season, much like they're changing the meadow at the end of Green Way. If you're thinking about how your own property will show next spring, from fall cleanup to garden prep before photos, Amy Bourque can walk the grounds with you and put together a preparation plan. Request your complimentary home valuation & tailored marketing plan.
