We’re building a Path for All!
The parking lot will be closed Monday through Friday.
Handicap parking is available. Please use street parking.
Learn more here.
Effective November 1, RRA grounds will be open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

About Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Where nature meets history

Reeves-Reed Arboretum engages, educates, and enriches its visitors so they become better stewards of nature and the environment.  This mission is achieved through the care and utilization of an historic estate and garden.

History

Reeves-Reed Arboretum is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Its estate and gardens represent design trends by prominent landscape architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Lenni Lenape Native Americans passed through the property on their route from the coastal areas near Elizabeth, NJ to Schooley’s Mountain, further inland. During the Revolutionary period, the area was adjacent to the Old Sow Revolutionary War Cannon and the Signal Beacon atop Beacon Hill.

Learn more about these early eras, as well as the Wisners, the founding family of “The Clearing” (as the Arboretum was originally called) and the Reeves and Reed families.

Horticulture

Reeves-Reed Arboretum is dedicated to preserving the past and imagining the future of American gardening. Our landscapes include natural woodlands, open vistas that owe much to 19th century visionaries like Andrew Downing and Frederick Law Olmsted (Olmsted’s partner Calvert Vaux actually produced the first design for the property), and more formal gardens that exemplify the Country Place movement of the early 20th century.

Letter from the Director

Dear Friends,

October is a very busy time at the Arboretum with a variety of programs for people of all ages. You may want to bring your child to one of our children’s education programs, or perhaps our Cream Tea piques your interest. If you are looking for a more social, adult vibe, you may want to consider our new Arboretum After Hours event or brush off your dirndl or lederhosen for Oktoberfest. Don’t forget about Celebrate Fall, where you can spend an autumn afternoon enjoying Halloween and fall-themed activities. And our favorite undulates are back on the grounds, eating the summer’s growth in the Daffodil Bowl.

Whatever the reason, the most important thing is that you come – enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the season and lose yourself for a spell in nature!

Until next time,

Jackie Kondel Signature

Jackie Kondel, Executive Director

Our Staff

Jackie Kondel – Executive Director
Phone Extension: 1515
Email: j.kondel@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Marilyn Kelly – Environmental Educator
Phone Extension: 1313
Email: m.kelly@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Flora Attardi – Financial Administrator
Phone Extension: 1212
Email: f.attardi@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Althea Llewellyn – Director of Education
Phone Extension: 1920
Email: a.llewellyn@reeves-reedarboretum.org

John Beirne – Curatorial Director of Horticulture & Facilities
Phone Extension: 1818
Email: j.beirne@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Daniel Phillips – Woodland Horticulturist
Phone Extension: 1818
Email: d.phillipsrra@gmail.com

Anita Bobba – Website and Database Administrator
Phone Extension: 1001
Email: a.bobba@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Donna Ricca – Environmental Educator
Phone Extension: 13137
Email: d.ricca@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Meg Brown – Assistant Horticulturist 
Phone Extension: 1818
Email: m.brown@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Doreen Schindler –  Marketing and Social Media Manager 
Phone Extension: 1717
Email: d.schindler@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Trish Cassin – Volunteer Coordinator
Phone Extension: 1616
Email: t.cassin@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Dave Snyder – Grants Writer
Phone Extension: 1616
Email: d.snyder@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Kim Cerf – Development Director
Phone Extension: 1921
Email: k.cerf@reeves-reedarboretum.org

 

Chris Tarashuk – Facilities
Phone Extension: 1818
Email: N/A

Julieanne Frascinella – Deputy Director of Horticulture
Phone Extension: 1919
Email: j.frascinella@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Marilyn Wirtz – Office Manager
Phone Extension: 1010
Email: m.foehrenbach@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Nicki James – Rental and Events Coordinator
Phone Extension: 1414
Email: n.james@reeves-reedarboretum.org

Board of Trustees

Todd Lenart – President

Jennifer Cornforth

JR Parker

Lydia Schulz – Vice President

Mike Elsman

Tanya Peress

Scott Silver – Treasurer

Sonja Shaffer Gamgort

Stacie Powers

Christine Lam – Secretary

Laura Hughes

Tracy Reilly

Jackie Kondel – Executive Director

Grier Hynes

Geoff Richards

Suzanne Bober

Thomas MacMillan

Kristin Shea

Lee Clay

Priti Mehta

Laura Wangerin

Owen Hunter Codey

Cara Natale

Trustee Emeriti

Mrs. J. Kent Blair

Mr. Scott Hayward

Mrs. Patty Olsen

Ms. Suzanne David

Mrs. John H. Huneke

Mrs. A.T. Quantz

Mr. Robert F. Ehinger

Mr. Robert Keller

Mr. Charles Reed, Jr.

Ms. Ann Thoke Espy

Mr. Pascal Lalonde

Mrs. Joseph Reed

Mr. Andrew Gottesman

Mrs. Robert A. Malin

Mr. George K. Ross

Ms. Victoria Perla Guagliardo

Mr. Cameron McClearn

Mr. Tom Ucko

Careers

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Reeves-Reed Arboretum is seeking a full-time environmental educator to join our dynamic education team and assist in the planning and implementation of its children’s educational programs.

The Environmental Educator will:

  • Develop and deliver a variety of hands-on outdoor environmental education programs for pre-schools, after school clubs, families, scouts and school groups.
  • Help develop seasonally appropriate environmental programming for the public.
  • Lead school field trips, scout groups and children’s birthday parties as needed.
  • Assist with the day-to-day logistics of our summer camp as schedule allows.
  • Create activities for our large seasonal family events.
  • Collect, analyze, and report data for program evaluation.
  • Provide general support to the organization as necessary and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Environmental Education, Environmental Science, or related field.
  • Demonstrated experience in formal and/or informal teaching, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Must be a skilled and effective communicator (oral, written, and visual) and comfortable speaking in front of groups of all ages.
  • Passion and experience working with pre-k and elementary age students.
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently and with a team
  • Must be willing to work weekends.
  • We welcome candidates with specialized skills or areas of concentration to apply.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel)

To apply, please send cover letter, resume and two references to Althea Llewellyn, Director of Education, at a.llewellyn@reeves-reedarboretum.org. No calls please.

Application deadline: September 22, 2025

Target start date: October 2025

There are no full-time positions available at this time.

Reeves-Reed Arboretum is one of the largest green spaces and the only public garden in the City of Summit. It is a non-profit conservancy dedicated to preserving the 13.5-acre historic estate and gardens and to promoting environmental and horticultural education for children and adults. The Arboretum is listed on both the National and New Jersey Historic Registers.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Rental and Events Coordinator plays a key role in supporting the Arboretum’s mission by managing all external rentals of the Arboretum’s facilities along with organizing a variety of internal events. This part-time position requires excellent organizational skills, strong customer service, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. The Coordinator will serve as the main point of contact for clients, vendors, and internal staff regarding all event logistics.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Rentals and Facility Use

• Serve as the primary contact for all facility rental inquiries, including weddings, corporate meetings, private events, and photo permits
• Coordinate rental bookings, contracts, and payment schedules
• Conduct site tours with prospective clients and maintain communication throughout the planning process
• Liaise with vendors and clients to ensure all set-up and event requirements are met
• Be on-site as needed to supervise event setup, breakdown, and execution

Arboretum Events

• Assist in the planning and execution of organizational events, fundraisers, and other special events including coordinating with contractors and vendors as necessary
• Coordinate with vendors interested in offering programs at the Arboretum including scheduling and serving as their point of contact for their event
• Develop event timelines and coordinate logistics, staffing, and vendor relationships
• Work collaboratively with the marketing team to promote events
• Act as a host and ambassador at events as needed (these may take place outside of normal work hours including evenings and weekends)
• Ensure a welcoming and well-organized experience for all attendees
• Assist in other areas as needed or assigned

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Positive outlook, and strong interpersonal skills and experience in establishing and cultivating excellent relationships with colleagues, partners, donors, and trustees.
• Excellent communication (both written and verbal) and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Well organized with the ability to take initiative, set priorities, problem solve, and to work independently with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to participate in morning, evening, and/or weekend events as schedule may require.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher).

Equal Opportunity Employer: Reeves-Reed Arboretum is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

+To apply, please e-mail resume and cover letter to j.kondel@reeves-reedarboretum.org. No phone calls, please.

There are no part-time positions available at this time.

Unpaid

The Junior Counselor supports the Camp Teacher and Lead Counselor in all aspects of camp, including set up, camper arrival, crafts, games, hikes, dismissal and clean up. The Junior Counselor helps to ensure that campers are both engaged in activities and following camp procedures. The ideal candidate is personable, energetic, and dependable and has an appreciation of nature as well as experience working with children.

Basic Requirements:

•Be at least 14 years old
•Be available for at least 4 weeks of camp*
•Attend a short training session prior to first week of camp (dates tbd)
•Be available to work all 5 days of any camp session from 8:30am-1:30pm

How to Apply:

Complete the attached application and email Trish Cassin, Volunteer Coordinator, at t.cassin@reeves-reedarboretum.org.

Once we receive your application, you will be contacted by a member of our Education Team to arrange a brief phone, video or in-person interview.

NOTE: The application process is necessary for all those interested in a Junior Counselor position, even if applicant has been an RRA Junior Counselor in the past
*RRA Summer Camp begins June 9th and runs through August 22nd. (There are no camps the weeks of June 23rd and 30th.)

Paid

Seasonal Gardener 

Reeves-Reed Arboretum—a public arboretum and historic former estate located in Summit, New Jersey, with landscapes designed by Calvert Vaux, Ellen Biddle Shipman, and Carl Pilat—is seeking an experienced gardener to join our team for approximately 24 hours per week. This is a temporary, part-time position running from Mid-May through November.

Job Overview:

Duties include planting, mulching, watering, deadheading, cleanup, and routine maintenance of garden beds and other planted areas. As a team member of the Arboretum, interaction with visitors is an important component of the role. Candidates who are friendly, engaging, and able to answer questions from the public will be given special consideration.

Ideal candidates will have experience with ornamental plants commonly used in Northeastern gardens, be familiar with basic gardening techniques, and be prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions. Apply now and add this prestigious arboretum experience to your resume!

Basic Requirements:

  • Interest in learning more about horticulture

  • Some prior gardening knowledge

  • Ability to perform heavy physical labor (lift up to 50 lbs.) in all weather conditions

  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

  • Comfortable working with volunteers and interacting with the public

  • Strong communication skills

  • Valid driver’s license

  • Must be 18 years or older

Advanced Requirements:

  • Knowledge of plant material and horticultural techniques

    • Demonstrated by horticultural/environmental education or certification, or

    • Current enrollment in related coursework

  • Ability to safely operate hand tools and power equipment (e.g., line trimmers, backpack blowers)

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Watering new plantings and nursery stock

  • Planting seasonal bulbs and annuals

  • Removing invasive plants

  • Planting display beds and participating in native ecosystem restoration

  • Weeding, edging, and mulching flower beds

  • Trail maintenance and rebuilding

  • Propagation and planting of historic tree specimens

  • Water feature maintenance

  • Serving as a public-facing ambassador of the Arboretum

Hours and Compensation:

  • Temporary, part-time position

  • Mid-May through November

  • 24 hours per week; some weekend availability required

  • $16–$18 per hour

To Apply:

Please email your resume to: j.beirne@reeves-reedarboretum.org

There are no seasonal or internship positions available at this time.

Sponsors

Many thanks to our supporters!