Reeves-Reed Arboretum Moves Closer to Accessibility Milestone with Support from Community Funders
Reeves-Reed Arboretum is proud to share significant progress on A Path for All, its transformative accessibility initiative designed to ensure that every visitor—regardless of mobility, visual, auditory, or neurodivergent challenges—can fully experience the beauty and serenity of the Arboretum’s gardens and grounds.
We’ve made meaningful progress on several key fronts, and we’re incredibly grateful for the generosity and commitment of so many in our Arboretum family who have helped us reach this point,” shared Jackie Kondel, Executive Director of Reeves-Reed Arboretum. “Thanks to the support of local foundations and organizations, the project continues to gain strong momentum.”
The Arboretum gratefully acknowledges the following community funders whose generous grants are helping bring A Path for All to life:
✗ The Summit Foundation – $45,000 (2024), $12,000 (2025)
✗ The Hyde and Watson Foundation – $25,000 in honor of Charles E. and Joy C. Pettinos
✗ The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation – $24,999
✗ E.J. Grassmann Trust – $15,000
✗ Barberry Foundation Inc. – $15,000
✗ Investors Foundation – $10,000
✗ Wallerstein Foundation – $10,000
✗ Citizens Philanthropic Foundation – $5,000
✗ Elks Club of Summit Lodge #1246 – $2,500
Construction is scheduled to begin in earnest at the end of August, with JR Prisco selected as the project contractor. Initial site preparation is already underway.
The community is warmly invited to celebrate this milestone at a groundbreaking ceremony currently scheduled for September 4, 2025—more details to follow in the coming weeks.
While A Path for All is approaching its fundraising goal, there is still an opportunity for community members to contribute and help bring this vision to full fruition. To learn more, and to make a gift or pledge, please visit reeves-reedarboretum.org.
This vital initiative reflects Reeves-Reed Arboretum’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusion, as well as enhancing the overall visitor experience. Planned architectural improvements include:
- Completing a fully connected and ADA-compliant pathway loop
- Expanding accessible parking
- Creating a new outdoor patio and educational area for learning, gathering, and enjoying the natural surroundings
About Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a non-profit public garden dedicated to engaging, educating, and enriching visitors to become better stewards of nature and the environment. The Arboretum achieves this mission through the care and utilization of its historic estate and gardens, listed on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. Learn more at reeves-reedarboretum.org.
Learn More About Our Generous Supporters:
✗ The Summit Foundation – Serving Summit and surrounding communities through more than $10 million in grants, scholarships, and donor-advised funds over the past decade. summitforever.org
✗ The Hyde and Watson Foundation – Supporting projects that enhance community well-being. hydeandwatson.org
✗ The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation – Advancing research and quality of life for people living with paralysis. christopherreeve.org
✗ E.J. Grassmann Trust – Supporting education, health, environmental, and social welfare organizations.
✗ Barberry Foundation Inc. – Fostering education and opportunity for youth in underserved communities.
✗ Investors Foundation – Funding civic-minded initiatives in arts, education, health, and affordable housing. investorsfoundation.org
✗ Wallerstein Foundation – Enhancing quality of life for older adults. wallersteinfoundation.org
✗ Citizens Philanthropic Foundation – Promoting financial empowerment and workforce development in New Jersey.
✗ Summit Elks Lodge #1246 – Supporting youth, veterans, and community needs in Summit. summitelks1246.org
All rendering photos are courtesy of the project’s landscape architect, J.Kest & Co.; jkestandco.com
