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Community Corner

Earth Day Grows Up With Green Theme

The Frankfort Square Park District plans to educate residents about eco-friendly park design during its annual Earth Day activities.

This weekend, Earth Day activities aren't just for kids. The whole community is invited to attend the free event, which has a "green infrastructure theme," said Julie Arvia, the superintendent of beautification and natural areas for the park district.

That's not green like grass. That's green as in eco-friendly.

The park district recently for its work in using green infrastructure within its parks and facilities. In addition, the district is a candidate for a grant submitted by Robinson Engineering to create a green infrastructure park using the Kiwanis ball fields site on St. Francis Road. The new park would include a permeable paving parking lot, bioswales, native buffer areas and a picnic shelter with a green roof, Arvia said.

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Robinson Engineering will be hosting a green infrastructure workshop during the Earth Day event to educate area residents on the community benefits of this environmentally friendly design method. Other eco-friendly vendors and workshops are also on the schedule.

Back by popular demand, Arvia said, are the Grow Guys. Kids create a face on a clear plastic cup, fill it with dirt and grass seed and wait for the "hair" to grow. Tie-dye returns, as well, although participants need to bring their own clean, white shirt to dye.

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A bald eagle and its handler will be on hand, courtesy of Save Our American Raptors, and children will be able to participate in other educational and hands-on activities throughout the afternoon. The award-winning interpretive gardens will be open for tours, too.

Earth Day Events

When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 9.
Where: , 7540 Braemar Lane
How much? Free.
More info: Call 815-469-3524.

A week later, the holds its annual Earth Day-Arbor Day celebration

When: Saturday, April 16. The event starts with a free continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and ends with a free lunch for volunteers at 11:30 a.m. Complimentary T-shirts and volunteer awards will be given out, too.
Where: Public Works Garage, 100 Sangmeister Road. 
How much? Free.
More info: Call 815-469-2177.

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