Celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day with the City of Sioux Falls
Published on April 10, 2024
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: The City of Sioux Falls will celebrate the planet with Earth Day events on Saturday, April 20, and an Arbor Day event on Saturday, April 27.
The ninth annual Big Sioux River Greenway Cleanup, hosted in partnership with Friends of the Big Sioux River, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, April 20. At the cleanup, volunteers will collect trash and other debris from the recreation areas surrounding the Big Sioux River Greenway.
“Over the years, volunteers have removed thousands of pounds of trash from the river,” said Josh Peterson, the City’s Environmental Services Manager. “The community’s support and turnout for this event grow every year, and we love to see people of all ages getting involved to take care of a critical resource to our city.”
Volunteers can choose from seven different check-in sites across the city, including Falls Park Farmers Market Shelter, Cherry Rock Park, Pasley Park, Yankton Trail Park, Sertoma Park, Legacy Park, and Elmwood Park.
The cleanup is open to all ages; however, children under 18 should be supervised by an adult. Volunteers will receive a bag and gloves at the check-in sites and must sign a waiver before beginning any work. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up ahead of time, but it is not required.
Parks and Recreation will host its inaugural Earth Day Festival at Great Bear Ski Valley on Saturday afternoon, April 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. This free event offers a variety of hands-on activities for the whole family, like a Trail Scavenger Hunt, Tote Bag Decorating, Free Mini Planting Kits, and Educational Booths.
The following weekend, Parks and Recreation has the Urban Arbor Day Festival on Saturday, April 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Nelson Park. This free event focuses on the importance of our city’s trees and how to care for them.
There will be tree planting demonstrations, live music from the Crab Grass Crew, local nurseries and greenhouses, and storytime from Siouxland Libraries.
“Earth Day is a time to celebrate our planet,” said Eric Saathoff, Recreation Program Coordinator with Parks and Recreation. “We’re hosting exciting Earth Day festivals, but there are many ways to participate. Join the festivities, explore your neighborhood park, or simply step outside and appreciate nature. Sioux Falls parks offer a wonderful way to connect with the environment year-round.”