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In this episode of Beyond The Green, we sit down with David Helmer, Executive Director of the Morris County Park Commission, to explore the vital role the Commission plays in preserving New Jersey’s largest county park system. Helmer shares insights into the Commission’s mission of stewardship, recreation, and education, while highlighting the diverse parks, historic sites, and natural spaces under its care. From maintaining nearly 20,000 acres of open space to ensuring access for future generations, Helmer discusses both the challenges and opportunities in balancing conservation with community engagement. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Morris County Park Commission connects residents and visitors alike to the natural beauty and heritage of the region.

For more information on the Morris County Park Commission (MCPC) go to:
https://www.morrisparks.net/

MCPC is steward to over 20,611 acres of parkland across the county.
Morris County Park Commission

It administers 39 facilities, including parks, trails, historic buildings, arboreta, outdoor education centers, and more.

The agency supports recreational, environmental, educational, and cultural uses, serving the needs of county residents and visitors.
Morris County

Its functions span land acquisition and conservation, maintenance of trails and open space, programming (nature education, horticulture, recreation), historic preservation, permitting of events and facilities, and partnerships with local municipalities and volunteers.

MCPC holds regular public meetings (for example, the 2025 schedule notes monthly meetings on the fourth Monday, with workshops quarterly) as part of its governance.

Because Morris County is fairly developed, the Park Commission plays a critical role in preserving green space, connecting trails, balancing recreation with conservation, and maintaining historic landscapes and structures.

Hosted By Peter Barbounis

Recorded at St. Elizabeth University, Convent Station, NJ

Sr. Production Engineer - BRANDON HUTCHINSON

Production Engineer - JOSH GONZALEZ

Assitant Production Engineer - NIC DiSCIASCIO

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If you are interested in telling your Morristown story, contact us at productions@beyondthegreenshow.com

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The Dandelion Project is holding its first New Jersey event on Saturday, October 11th. We’ll begin at 11:15 AM at the Townsquare Diner on Route 15 in Rockaway to recognize the awareness billboard that sheds light on the impact of drug overdoses.

From 12:00–4:00 PM, the gathering continues at The Knotty Pine Pub in Wharton, NJ, bringing the community together for reflection, awareness, and support.
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For more information on the Dandelion Project: https://dandelionproject.net/

Lisa Bolton is the visionary founder of The Dandelion Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing grief support, education, and healing resources to individuals and families affected by loss, trauma, and substance use disorder.

Born in Livingston, New Jersey, and later residing in Randolph, NJ, Lisa’s early years were shaped by the strong communities and values of northern New Jersey. (If you would like to add more about her childhood or family in NJ, I’m happy to help integrate that.)

Her personal journey through grief and loss deeply informs her work:

She lost her first-born son, “DJ,” in 1989 (a miscarriage), an experience that marked the beginning of her grief journey.

Years later, she lost her stepdaughter, Quinn, in 2015 to Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis.

In 2019, she lost her daughter Kerri to a heroin overdose laced with fentanyl and carfentanil.

These profound losses inspired her to channel her grief into purpose. She founded The Dandelion Project to honor her children and to help others who are navigating the deepest valleys of sorrow.

Professionally, Lisa is a grief support specialist and counselor, and she also holds roles in curriculum direction and grief counseling at Morrison Preschool.

She is credentialed in several therapeutic and grief-support disciplines (e.g. GC-C, GCCA-C, CTRS-EC, BCMHC) per her LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn

Under her leadership, The Dandelion Project is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, offering grief services to bereaved parents, siblings, children, grandparents raising grandchildren, veterans, those affected by mental health challenges, and communities struggling with trauma and loss.

Lisa is also co-founder of M.U.T.E. (Mothers United to Educate), a collaborative initiative aimed at raising awareness of substance use disorder and supporting families impacted by addiction.
orlandovoyager.com

Her commitment to remembrance and advocacy is visible in community practices she’s nurtured—writing names on rocks, holding “Black Balloon Day” remembrances, and gathering community rides and events to raise awareness.

Lisa now resides in Florida, where she continues to expand The Dandelion Project’s reach and impact.
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Beyond The Green is a Sleeping Bear Productions © 2025
Hosted by Peter Barbounis

If you are interested in telling your Morristown story, contact us at productions@beyondthegreenshow.com

Send us a text

We recently sat down with Jon Prachthauser, a former Deputy Fire Chief of the Morristown Fire Department, to hear his story of growing up in the community. A proud member of the Morristown High School Class of 1986, Jon was honored in 2025 as an inductee into the MHS Wall of Fame.

Recorded on the campus of St Elizabeth University in Convent Station NJ.

Hosted By Peter Barbounis

Technical Staff:

Brandon Hutchinson - Sr Production Engineer

Josh Gonzalez - Production Engineer

Nic DiSciascio - Assistant Production Engineer.

If you are interested in telling your Morristown story, contact us at productions@beyondthegreenshow.com