By Karen Keene

Rising Waters, a metal sculpture by artist Dorsey Lucas, was dedicated this weekend at Jackson Woods Park in Long Branch, New Jersey at a free community event hosted by Monmouth Conservation Foundation, the Friends of Jackson Woods, and the City of Long Branch. The art is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the New Jersey Coastal Management Program (CMP), Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

As we experienced the seventh consecutive weekend with rain in Monmouth County, a new sculpture entitled “Rising Waters” was fittingly unveiled on Saturday afternoon, October 21 at Jackson Woods Park in Long Branch. Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF), the Friends of Jackson Woods, and the City of Long Branch hosted a public dedication ceremony and free community event at Jackson Woods, located on Ocean Boulevard North between Atlantic Avenue and Avenel Boulevard. The clouds dissipated and sun appeared just in time for the free event, which featured an eclectic mix of art and nature.

“Rising Waters” was sculpted by artist Dorsey Lucas with technical assistance from her husband, Rich Lucas. This artwork is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the New Jersey Coastal Management Program (CMP), Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts through a Community-Based Art program grant secured by MCF. The grant program is intended to bring attention to and start conversations around climate change in our coastal areas through art installations in geographically diverse locations across the state. In doing so, the CMP aims to have a more widespread and effective approach to communicating risk.

"With each Community-Based Art Grant project, it is always exciting to see the unique and innovative approaches that artists take to communicate coastal flood risk to a broad audience," said Nick Angarone, New Jersey Chief Resilience Officer. "Rising Waters is an excellent addition to Jackson Woods Park, where it relays an important story of sea-level rise and flooding in Long Branch."

“Rising Waters serves as a reminder of the risk of flooding from coastal storms and sea level rise. It highlights the importance of protecting our communities from damaging floods, storm surge, and the harmful effects of excessive stormwater runoff,” said Kathy Buchan, Founder and Co-Director of Friends of Jackson Woods.

“Working on this large piece, 21’ x 9’, was a huge but exciting challenge. The environmental theme was especially important to me. My husband,  Rich Lucas, has been a major collaborator with the recent metal works we’ve taken on,” shared Dorsey Lucas.

During the event, local artists Lisa Bagwell and Carla Valentino exhibited pieces from their respective collections made from found items recycled into art.

“It was important to me to include other art disciplines,” said Dorsey Lucas.

Monmouth County authors John Grandits and Frank Valentino each read one of their poems written for the occasion, themed around coastal flooding. In John’s case, his concrete poem was fashioned into the shape of a wave and displayed for guests.

Long Branch Mayor John Pallone, Kathy Buchan and Nan Simon, Co-Directors of the Friends of Jackson Woods, artist Dorsey Lucas, and Karen Keene, MCF’s Director of Development and Communications, spoke during the dedication ceremony.

“We are thrilled to add ‘Rising Waters’ to the park. Friends of Jackson Woods’ vision for the park is to create a place where nature and the arts thrive together and to educate our community, making a visit to Jackson Woods an experience to remember,” stated Kathy Buchan.

This event was a wonderful opportunity to experience Jackson Woods Park, a City of Long Branch public park, which has been transformed over the past five years by the volunteer-run Friends of Jackson Woods with support from the City of Long Branch, MCF, Monmouth County, funding partners, and many volunteers. 

“MCF’s work with Jackson Woods Park is an example of our growing efforts in park creation and enhancement - a crucial part of keeping Monmouth County green and livable. Whether rejuvenating a neglected park in an underserved community or creating a welcoming new park with water and fishing access, it is imperative to protect our land for people of all ages to respect and enjoy,” voiced William Kastning, Executive Director of MCF.

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 Contact:
Karen Keene
Director of Development and Communications
Monmouth Conservation Foundation
kkeene@monmouthconservation.org
732.671.7000 w; 305.519.6494 c

Founded in 1977, Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF) works to acquire and preserve open space and farmland and conserve natural habitats throughout Monmouth County in support of outdoor recreation, agriculture, clean water, and wildlife for long-term sustainability. An independent nonprofit organization that works with Monmouth County and its 53 municipalities, MCF’s vision is to lead conservation and education efforts to preserve and protect our natural environment, so all individuals and communities have access to and can benefit from open space and nature for generations to come.

MCF received accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2014 and has continued to maintain this status since. Accreditation is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. MCF is one of 463 accredited land trusts out of 1,100 nationwide. www.monmouthconservation.org

In April 2018, a group of concerned citizens – the Friends of Jackson Woods – formed to revitalize the park to benefit the community. Passive recreation, environmental education, promotion of the arts, and the preservation of Long Branch’s rich history, as well as protecting this unique ecosystem and the habitat it provides for local wildlife, are their goals. Jackson Woods Park was created in 1991 when a 13-acre farmhouse and wetlands property that had been slated for redevelopment was preserved as open space. Although preserved, the area was left unattended, becoming overgrown, and then further damaged by Super Storm Sandy. With support from the City of Long Branch and its mayor, MCF, as well as many local volunteer organizations, along with the leadership, passion and efforts of the Friends of Jackson Woods, that transformation is now well underway. www.friendsofjacksonwoods.org

PHOTO GALLERY

“We were very fortunate to have the support of MCF and the Friends of Jackson Woods, and we can’t speak highly enough about the Long Branch Department of Public Works crew, as their assistance to prep the area for installation was imperative,” said Dorsey Lucas.

“I am so glad Jackson Woods is here as open space for the public and that they incorporate art for the space and employ community effort to maintain it,” said artist Lisa Bagwell.

“I was very honored to be a part of the event at Jackson Woods. Dorsey Lucas’ sculpture is not only beautiful but raises awareness of the coastal flooding issue. In addition, her work also brings attention to the beautiful park that is a testament to environmental protection and the pressing need to preserve more areas such as this along our New Jersey shoreline,” said Carla Valentino. 

“Lisa Bagwell’s and Carla Valentino’s amazing vision and creative use of ‘throw away’  materials were appreciated by everyone. More than once, I heard guests viewing their art remark, ‘This is fantastic, but so sad…considering what it’s made out of,’ – a very accurate observation,” said Dorsey Lucas.