Outdoor hobbies are a great way to explore the area, learn a skill, and meet new people. Local company Urban Paddle has been bringing people with a love of the great outdoors together for the past four years through aquatic sports rentals at affordable rates. Its most recent expansion to Fairy Lake, located in West Hudson Park in Harrison, is the latest iteration of the program’s quest to support the community through resources that promote movement and community. The Hoboken Girl had the chance to connect with Kevin Murray, owner of Urban Paddle, to chat about the organization and its latest expansion. Read on to learn more about what Urban Paddle brings to Hudson County, New Jersey.
^ Fairy Lake. Photo Credit: @urbanpaddlelakes
Getting Outdoors
Hudson County is typically associated with dense populations, proximity to New York City, and great restaurants. However, access to nature is just as abundant. Some of the most underutilized resources in the area can be found in the Hudson County Park System. Hudson County Park System is made up of eight parks over 700 acres of land. Being able to bring more life to these beautiful parks and the lakes of Hudson County is something Kevin, a lifelong Hudson County resident, is very proud of. “I was born and raised in Hudson County, and it was important for me to bring paddle activities to the city environment and activate some of the underutilized, beautiful lake locations we have in the area, including Braddock Park Lake in North Bergen and Fair Lake in West Hudson Park,” he told HG.
Read More: 10 Ways to Enjoy Nature in Hoboken + Jersey City
Urban Paddle is an offshoot of the organization’s main branch that has hosted rides in the Hudson River since 2012. The new effort focuses on the lakes of Hudson County, providing more variety to the programs and bringing training and new skills to the community. “Our staff is made up of all local high school and college students who live in the city and get marine/lifeguard training and experience and interaction with their neighbors,” Kevin said.
The Expansion
Urban Paddle has recently expanded its services to include Fairy Lake in West Hudson Park. The organization focuses on affordability so that more people can experience outdoor activities. “Urban Paddle Lakes is important because it offers an affordable option for local Hudson residents to experience fun aquatic activities like pedal boats and kayak rentals at home in the city environment,” Kevin said.
Photo Credit: @urbanpaddlelakes
Pedal boats are available to rent for $10 per hour and are available from 10AM to 7PM on Saturdays and Sundays through mid-October, weather permitting. Kids under nine years old can pedal free. More dates and times will be available in the spring. Not only has the Urban Paddle program grown, but it has brought a new life to the area surrounding Fairy Lake. Local businesses have enjoyed the increased foot traffic to the area, and local families can enjoy outdoor activities even as the weather cools down. “We use the best pedal boat and kayak equipment at our locations and are beginner-friendly,” Kevin said.
See More: Verona Park: A Historical Gem in Essex County
Urban Paddle shines a light on the beautiful parks and bodies of water Hudson County offers. Its efforts in getting the community outside continue to grow and incorporate. Check out Urban Paddle on Instagram @urbanpaddlelakes, or click here to book a pedal boat.
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5 Tips to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions, According to Evolve Psychotherapy
This article is sponsored by Evolve Psychotherapy.
Starting therapy can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Evolve Psychotherapy, located at 221 River Street in Hoboken is a woman-owned private practice with a small, intimate team of experienced therapists. The Hoboken therapy team specializes in individual, couples, and adolescent therapy using evidence-based techniques and treatments. Keep reading to learn more about this local Hoboken therapy practice and the women behind it.
About Evolve Psychotherapy
Evolve Psychotherapy is a small team of six highly skilled therapists, led by Rachael Houston, LCSW. Despite the practice’s size, the team’s compassion is big — providing in-person and virtual therapy to adults and adolescents across New Jersey. It prides itself on using the most modern, evidence-based therapy practices tailored to each client’s specific needs.
“At Evolve, our team helps clients identify what is important to them so they can lead fulfilling, meaningful lives,” owner Rachael shared with The Hoboken Girl. “Using only evidence-based treatments with clinically proven success, we work collaboratively with clients, empowering them to be the narrator of their own journey”
How Evolve Can Help
Rachael’s goal is to support clients through every season of life and to create a space where individuals feel comfortable being authentic and vulnerable. As such, Evolve has a range of specialized services, including Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, and more.
The team offers a variety of modalities for therapy to suit your individual needs, including:
- Couples Therapy: helps couples build communication, resolve conflict, and improve their overall relationship using the Gottman Method.
- Individual Therapy: modern, evidence-based therapies using techniques like CBT, DBT, ACT, and mindfulness for those dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues.
- Adolescent Therapy: for adolescents who are navigating the challenges of growing up, stress, relationships, or emotional well-being.
The team recommends once-weekly appointments to get the most out of sessions. Evolve has in-person and virtual sessions so that even clients with busy schedules can benefit from sessions without having to step into the office.
Evolve’s Approach
What sets Evolve Psychotherapy apart from other practices is its deep connection to the Hoboken community and its unique, relatable approach to providing therapy to clients. The team consists of fully-licensed professionals with clinical expertise who also share in the same human experiences as their clients. The combination of personal and professional experiences creates a truly comfortable environment, where clients feel understood and supported.
“Our team is highly diverse in their experience, specialties, and cultural backgrounds which is important to us so that we can serve a broader population,” shared Evolve Psychotherapy Owner, Rachael Houston.”At Evolve, it is really important to us to make sure that every person seeking therapy has someone they can relate to and feel understood by.”
Evolve’s diverse team brings a wide range of experience, specialties, and cultural backgrounds. With therapists who provide services in multiple languages, the team is truly dedicated to helping clients of all varieties improve their relationships with themselves and others.
Evolve Psychotherapy is located at 221 River Street in Hoboken.
Call 908-498-7448, email [email protected], or visit the website to book an appointment or for more information.
