Our History
Carol Thielke
In the early 1900’s, a doctor-chiropractor with an office in Ridgewood purchased land in Glen Rock on Doremus Avenue, for his residence. Frederick W. Morris was a lover of trees and planted many herbaceous species on his property. When he died in the early 1940’s, the property was sold.
Several years and owners later, the property was once again for sale. A developer-contractor bid on the property with plans to build multi-housing on the property. Residents living on Doremus Avenue at that time, petitioned the then Mayor and Borough Council to purchase the land for conservation.
In 1954, the Borough of Glen Rock purchased the eleven acres for $44,000. The land was declared a park in 1954. Soon after, several members of the Glen Rock Garden Club walked the land and discovered the many varied species of trees. The club recommended that the park should be declared an arboretum. A dedication ceremony was held in May, 1963, declaring the eleven acres an arboretum.
The non-profit Arboretum is maintained by a group of volunteers, the Friends of the Glen Rock Arboretum (FOGRA). Our mission is to conserve, maintain and enhance the Arboretum, the property has come a long way from its inception in 1964.
Today, the arboretum supports educational efforts as a field laboratory for the Glen Rock Public Schools, hosts events for many local civic organizations, and countless visitors enjoy the grounds. Most of the recent development has been led by the tireless efforts of Carol Thielke, a long time Glen Rock resident. The Arboretum was named in her honor in 2009.
There's always something happening at the Arboretum, so stop by for a stroll on the garden path & around the pond and enjoy hundreds of plants, trees, birds and other natural wonders!
The Arboretum is located on Doremus Avenue right next to the pool parking lot (there is no parking in the Arboretum, but plenty of room in the lot or on Doremus Avenue).
Several years and owners later, the property was once again for sale. A developer-contractor bid on the property with plans to build multi-housing on the property. Residents living on Doremus Avenue at that time, petitioned the then Mayor and Borough Council to purchase the land for conservation.
In 1954, the Borough of Glen Rock purchased the eleven acres for $44,000. The land was declared a park in 1954. Soon after, several members of the Glen Rock Garden Club walked the land and discovered the many varied species of trees. The club recommended that the park should be declared an arboretum. A dedication ceremony was held in May, 1963, declaring the eleven acres an arboretum.
The non-profit Arboretum is maintained by a group of volunteers, the Friends of the Glen Rock Arboretum (FOGRA). Our mission is to conserve, maintain and enhance the Arboretum, the property has come a long way from its inception in 1964.
Today, the arboretum supports educational efforts as a field laboratory for the Glen Rock Public Schools, hosts events for many local civic organizations, and countless visitors enjoy the grounds. Most of the recent development has been led by the tireless efforts of Carol Thielke, a long time Glen Rock resident. The Arboretum was named in her honor in 2009.
There's always something happening at the Arboretum, so stop by for a stroll on the garden path & around the pond and enjoy hundreds of plants, trees, birds and other natural wonders!
The Arboretum is located on Doremus Avenue right next to the pool parking lot (there is no parking in the Arboretum, but plenty of room in the lot or on Doremus Avenue).