Tenafly Mayor's Message, May 23, 2025

Hello. This is Mayor Mark Zinna with a Friday news update.

A terrific thank you to the DPW team for all the work they have done preparing and building our new Grove Street Park and the Municipal Pool. It’s really been a tremendous effort!

Note that on Monday, Memorial Day the Recycling Center is closed and there is only sporadic trash pickup, so please do not bring your trash cans to the street.

Congratulations to Tenafly Boys Tennis who qualified for the NJSIAA Playoffs as the top seed in North Group 3. They begin their playoff run this coming Tuesday afternoon. Best of luck Boys!

There’s something for everyone at the Nature Center this season. On Sunday, May 25 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, join Forest Defenders and help protect our preserve from invasive plants while learning hands-on ecological restoration techniques—perfect for teens, adults, and families looking to give back. As a reminder, the Redfield Building and Visitor Center will be closed on Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day but trails will remain open for visitors to enjoy. www.tenaflynaturecenter.org

The annual Elks sponsored Memorial Day Parade kicks off this Monday at 9:30 am on George Street. After the parade and ceremony at Huyler Park visit the Elks Lodge on Franklin Street for hot dogs and drinks.

The Saint Thomas Armenian Church on East Clinton Avenue is hosting their annual Armenian and Mediterranean home-made food festival this Monday, May 26 from Noon to 6:00 pm. Plenty of action for the kids, a bounce house, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, balloons, music and more. Free admission!

The 54th Annual Taste of Greece Festival at Saint John’s the Theologian on East Clinton Avenue is May 30 to June 1. Friday and Saturday hours are Noon to midnight, Sunday it’s Noon to 9:00 pm. Food, games, rides, music, and dancing. Free admission!

The Tenafly 5K Run and Dog Walk is coming up on June 1st. In addition to the 5K and Fun Run events, there is something for everyone. Celebrating its 27th year, this event is a great Tenafly tradition! Go to tenafly5k.com to sign up.

Ben and Zach Kushman (Jersey Boyz Donate) in partnership with Coby Cohen of the Global Humanitarian and Social Activism clubs at the High School are holding a “Year of the Pencil” drive through the nonprofit Develop Africa to raise awareness about the educational resource gap in Africa. Over 39K pencils and supplies have already been collected from other initiatives around the globe. Let’s show them that Tenafly can move the needle further towards the 100K pencil goal! Please help to reach the goal providing pencils to students in under-served communities in Sierra Leone by donating new pencils and pencil sharpeners. Collection bins are located at all of our schools now through May 31 as well as at 61 Elm Street and 17 Park Street.

Come and hear the Tenafly Community Choir and Orchestra in a celebration of music. Repertoire includes Handel's Zadok the Priest (sung at every British coronation since 1727), Schubert's Mass in G and Mozart's Jupiter Symphony. Sunday, June 1 at 7:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church, 55 Magnolia Avenue. All are invited to attend. Free entry, donations welcome.

Don’t miss the Nature Center’s biggest family celebration of the season: Nature Day on Sunday, June 8 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm! Enjoy bird encounters, canoeing, nature art, and more during a full day of outdoor fun for all ages. And if you’re planning ahead, now’s the time to fill out your 2025–2026 Full Year Forest School interest form. Our immersive, child-led program fosters curiosity, independence, and a lifelong connection to nature. Learn more and register at tenaflynaturecenter.org—space is limited!

The Tenafly Senior Center will host its annual Health and Wellness Fair on Thursday, June 12. Local vendors interested in participating should reach out to the Center. Don't forget to save the date, as this is an open event for the public.

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone,
Mayor Mark Zinna