Friends' Picnic in the Park

After relentless fundraising, cleanups and general maintenance, the Friends of Tamanend stop to smell the roses — or burgers — at their annual summer picnic.

“We’ve been trying to maintain the historic part of the park,” said Joan Kopchik, one of the founding members of the group. “We go above and beyond what the township can do.”

Friends of Tamanend has been functioning 34 years and raises money for activities for kids as well as any upkeep the park needs. They also offer two college scholarships.

Kopchik said the last seven years or so, the group has been getting together for a summer picnic to socialize, relax and enjoy being outside.

“It’s just to get people together,” she said.

Friends of Tamanend member Mary Findlay,who joined the group 15 or so years ago, said the reason she’s involved is because of her love of nature.

“I believe in taking care of nature,” she said. “It’s good for us as well as the animals.”

Not only is the group for nature lovers, but member and Earth Day Coordinator Linda Deluca, said it pulls the community together too.

Deluca said when Centennial School District wanted to put a school on some of Tamanend Park’s land, several community members came out of the woodwork to help protest.

“(Tamanend Park is) sort of a beloved member of the community,” she said.

Deluca pointed out a deer walking by during the picnic.

“That’s the kind of park this is,” she said with a huge grin on her face.