Hanson Park is located at 38 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ
Hanson Park Conservancy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
HANSON PARK CONSERVANCY
Township of Cranford
The HPC 15th Annual Rubber Ducky Race was a wet day that only a duck would love!!
We had 1400+ colorful racing ducks careening over the falls at Sperry Park Cranford, following the mama duck who was trying to swim forward. She never turned around as she kept watching over her baby ducks. The ducks were delayed this year as they tried to hide under the bushes and stay out of the rain. They finally found their way to the N. Union Bridge finish line. The Cranford Fire Department Water Rescue Team help guide the racing ducks to the finale. The crowd cheered from both sides of the riverbank and overlooking the bridge. The Yarn Stormers provided a colorful tableau of knitted ducks hanging from the N. Union Bridge to watch their racing cousin ducks down below.
This year Cranford residents came out to cheer on the ducks even though it had rained off and on all day. There were other activities to keep their attention while they waited to hear the numbers of the winning ducks. The Cranford Library had their bookmobile on site and helped the children make their own duck stickers. While everyone waited for the announcement of the winning ducks, they could purchase their own rubber rescue duck to take home along with a duck themed pen. There was also a raffle this year for the children, 10 glazed ceramic ducks. All children spectators were given a free raffle ticket and had the opportunity to go home with a beautifully crafted glazed ceramic duck.
Thank you:
Linda L, Duck Race Chair has a degree in organizing as she kept all the trustees on track and herded the ducks to the finish line.
It was a more stressful year selling ducks this year since the weather cancelled some outdoor opportunities to sell the ducks as in years past.
• Linda L. sold almost 100 hundred ducks in Brick. It’s nice to know that the Jersey Shore supports our duck race too.
• Ellen R. and Janet spent at least 3 days outside Periwinkles, Ellen M. and Kris did a tour outside Periwinkles as well.
• Deb and Ellen M. manned a table inside Palmas Café to sell ducks.
• Diane and Kris sold ducks at the Shrub Sale too
• Julie and Lynda F. opened up their contacts and made the ask to sell ducks which resulted in a windfall of sales.
I hope you will patronize both our sponsors and prize merchants. We truly appreciate their support of HPC and our duck race.
This year, Brian Andrews and Chris Lenza got a new tool (a cutting rake) to remove the majority of algae in the river so as not impede the ducks during their race. Brian has been borrowing an HPC wader each year and willingly jumps into the river to clean it prior to the race.
My personal thanks to the HPC Trustees who live the mission of Hanson Park Conservancy and give their all in any/all tasks to pull off a successful duck race.
For all the community support we receive which makes Hanson Park Conservancy’s Annual Rubber Ducky Race a special event in a truly unique town.
- Ellen
All proceeds benefit Hanson Park maintenance and educational programs.
About our annual Rubber Ducky Race
Hanson Park Conservancy, founded in 2004, has been holding the Duck Race since 2010. The event typically draws a crowd of over 400 people to cheer on the 1,500 numbered rubber ducks as they race over the water falls at Sperry Park. Prizes (generously donated by merchants) are given out to the first 10 ducks to cross the finish line. All rubber ducks are collected at the end of the race and reused the following year.
Sponsors
Diamond
The Mazza Company
Platinum
Cranford Chamber of Commerce –Co-host with Hanson Park Conservancy
PSEG
Jim and Julie Murphy
TERA Inc
Cranford Jaycees Foundation Inc
Gold
Calvary Nursery School & Child Care
Bridget Briant – Yoga to Go
Green Thumb Garden Club of Cranford
Jamie Miller at Garretson Financial
BOXCAR, Inc
Spencer Savings Bank
Rich and Lynda Feder
Silver
Neim Dani State Farm Insurance
Mr. C’s Carpet Cleaning
The Rudnicki Family
The Pirozzoli Family
Finestein & Malloy, LLC
Springfield Park Manor Homeowners Assoc.
Arnolds Pest Control
Merchant Prize donors, gift cards
Periwinkles
Mr. J’s Deli
Vanilla Bean Creamery
Playa Bowls
Ciao Bello
Cake Artist Café
Palmas Cafe
Toast City Diner
Vinny’s Pizza- Pasta
Cranford Hotel
Savor Snack Shop
Ambeli’s Greek Taverna
HPC wishes to thank all the volunteers who helped get us to race day and offered their time and sweat equity the day of the race.
Union County Parks and Rec
Union County Police
Cranford Parks and Rec
Mayor Kathleen Miller Prunty
Commissioner Brian Andrews and Chris Lenza
Commissioner Gina Black
Troop 80 Boy Scouts
Cranford Fire Department Water Rescue team
Calvary Nursery School volunteers
Richard Brown
Bridger Briant
Elaine Moffett, Periwinkles
MaryBeth Kniazuk
Weaver Printing
Kevin Papa, photographer
Bernie Wagenblast
Cranford Library
Ralph Circelli, Cranford Canoe Club
HPC spouses and friends who willingly gave of their time