ROSELAND, NJ — Eight local residents received awards in the annual Essex County Parks Photography Contest. Winners were awarded in adult and youth categories and were recognized on Saturday, Sept. 24, during the annual Fall Family Festival at the Essex County Environmental Center in Roseland.
“We congratulate the winners of the Essex County Parks Photography Contest and thank all the contestants for sharing what they experienced in our historic Parks System,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said in a release. “Events like these encourage our residents to visit our open spaces and share their artistic talents. All these photographs capture the beauty, highlight the diversity and natural splendor of our parks, reservations and recreation facilities.”
In the adult category, Jane Ballinger of Cedar Grove received first place for “Verona Park – Bridge”; Janet Markman of West Caldwell received second place for “Presby Iris Gardens”; Michael Mund of North Caldwell received third place for “Verona Park – Bridge”; and Miriam Jarney of Cranford received an honorable mention for “Brookdale Park – Autumn.”
In the youth category, Katie Hunt of Verona received first place for “Verona Park – Boat House”; Brittany Hill of Newton received second place for “Environmental Center – Swallowtail;” Brennan Cunningham of Roseland received third place for “Turtle Back Zoo – Mountain Lion”; and Gregory Hill of Newton received an honorable mention for “Environmental Center – Flower.”
The Essex County Parks Photography Contest was sponsored by the Essex County Environmental Center. Anyone with a camera was encouraged to participate. Entries were judged in two categories: Youth for ages 17 years and younger and adult for ages 18 and older. All photographs should have been taken within the boundaries of the Essex County Parks System during the past year. Entries were judged on creativity, technical superiority, composition and the photograph’s depiction of the uniqueness of the Essex County Parks System.
All photographs will be on display at the Essex County Environmental Center through October. Hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sponsoring the contest were the South Orange Frame Shop, Frames and Framers from Millburn, Signarama from Roseland, Livingston Camera, Millburn Frame Shop, Jerry’s Artist Outlet from West Orange, Jaclyn King from Montclair, REI in East Hanover and Watchung Books from Montclair.