Historic Mendham Pitney Park Year-End Donations Accepted Now

MENDHAM, NJ — People who would like to give an everlasting gift this year can “make their mark” on the Historic Park at Pitney Farm, by dedicating trees or making “Honor Roll” donations by Dec. 31.

After launching the first fundraiser for donors this past August for the park in Mendham Township, with dedication of trees, benches and other items, another round to give is happening now, with the chance to dedicate trees and to make “Honor Roll” donations.

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There are Dogwoods, Dawn Redwoods, Shingle Oaks and White Oaks to choose from, with inscribed markers and plaques to remember loved ones or for families to make their own mark on the park. Dogwoods are $500 each and donations for the others $1,000.

The Honor Roll for engraved plates on a plaque in the Walled Garden area, include different levels, with $300 for bronze, $500 for silver and $750 for gold. These donations will help to support the Walled Garden, Seed House and Gazebo, all original to Pitney Farm.

The seven-acre park was dedicated in September with the first handicap-accessible trail in Morris County. The township purchased 12 acres originally from the farm that the Pitney family settled in during the early 1700s, a family that had ties to the American Revolution and then-General George Washington.

The Pitney family stayed in Mendham for 11 generations, the township after acquiring the property, planning to preserve the home - built in 1722 - but unfortunately before that could happen, it was destroyed in a fire in 2016. The township auctioned that portion of the property with five acres, keeping the seven remaining for the park. It has been permanently preserved as open space, Mendham Township having received $377,500 in Green Acres funding and a $264,753 Morris County Trail Grant.

So far, donations have come from as close as the Mendhams to as distant as Washington State, according to a news release from the Township of Mendham, to build a reserve fund to help maintain the park.

How to donate:

Credit card donations are accepted online here at https://register.capturepoint.com/reg/cat_program_class_detail.cfm?s=&t=&season_id=18372&program_id=1484137&family_mbr_str=.

To make a donation by check, contact David Guida beforehand to earmark items, then mail a check payable to Township of Mendham/Historic Park, ATTN: David Guida, P.O. Box 520, Brookside, NJ 07926. Include with the check a note with contact information, donation type (tree or Honor Roll) and inscription for the marker or honor roll.

Questions? Contact dguida@mendhamtownship.org or Pitney@mendhamtownship.org.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.