Venture out into the Great Outdoors!

I don’t know about you, but as soon as I feel the first warm breeze of the year, my windows fly open, my outdoor chairs and cushions are put in place, and I immediately immerse myself in the sounds, smells, and feels of the great outdoors! There is nothing quite like listening to birds chirping, feeling the sun hit your skin, and surrounding yourself with all of the beauty of nature—and what better way to embrace nature than to venture outside? June is National Great Outdoors Month and the perfect time to explore nature, local parks, trails, and outdoor attractions. The Mercer County Library System offers patrons access to many great museum passes, hiking and biking trail books, travel guides, and fun outdoor programming for the whole family to enjoy. Mercer County also has a vast array of beautiful parks, lakes, and outdoor spaces to enjoy. I’m sharing more details about each below, so be sure you set aside plenty of time to get outdoors this summer!

Hiking, Biking, and More! – MCLS has a large selection of books featuring ideas and information about trails for hiking and biking, kayaking, camping, sailing, parks, traveling, and fun outdoor activities.

Find these and many other similar titles in our catalog.

Museum Passes – The Ewing, Hickory Corner, Hopewell, Lawrence, and West Windsor Branches all have passes available to local museums and attractions, including several that you can enjoy outdoors, such as Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Elmwood Park Zoo, and Morven Museum and Garden! Each pass must be reserved through the library’s website using an MCLS library card. They can be borrowed for three (3) consecutive days and reserved up to forty-five (45) days in advance. Each pass usually covers admittance for up to 4-6 people; check the pass details for specifics. Please note: the passes must be picked up and returned to the “owning” branch that you’ve reserved it from.

Outdoor Events at MCLS – Summer at MCLS features our annual Summer Reading Program, which includes many great programs and fun for the whole family! The theme this year is “Adventure Begins at your Library.” Visit our Events Page to see what adventures – including outdoor concerts, performances, and events - we have taking place this summer.

Mercer County Parks & Facilities – Mercer County offers many great opportunities for you to enjoy the great outdoors, including concerts, movies, golf, swimming, kayaking, a spray park, a wildlife center, and the new Ropes & Zip Line Course that opened in Mercer County Park last fall! Visit the Mercer County Park Commission website for more details about all of their local outdoor activities and attractions.

Trenton Thunder Baseball – One enjoyable outdoor summer pastime is watching baseball! Mercer County residents have a great baseball stadium close by – Trenton Thunder Ballpark! The Thunder host a variety of Theme Nights and Community Nights throughout the summer, providing groups with similar interests the opportunity to get together and enjoy a game! They also have special giveaway nights, dog-friendly games, and fireworks.

Hopefully this list inspires you to explore Mercer County, and venture out into the great outdoors this summer!

- by Dana, Hopewell Branch