City to Celebrate Earth Month With Family-Friendly Festivals

In April, Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation will celebrate Earth Month with two family-friendly festivals focused on environmental stewardship and the importance of our natural resources. 

“Parks and Recreation understands the critical connection between the health of our community and the health of our planet,” Bryan Peterson, Urban Forestry Specialist, said. “Every day, we see the value of this connection as we manage approximately 3,400 acres of parkland, including 81 parks, golf courses, outdoor recreation areas, an extensive network of trails, and over 54,000 street and park trees that enrich our city. These natural resources are fundamental to our quality of life, and we are committed to being responsible stewards of these assets.” 

According to Peterson, the department actively engages in prairie management and watershed practices and works to enhance and protect the natural elements within our urban environment. 

Two festivals, the Earth Day Festival and the Urban Arbor Day Festival, are planned to further engage the community in these efforts. 

On Friday, April 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Great Bear Recreation Park, the Earth Day Festival offers an opportunity for families to connect with nature and learn more about being good stewards of Earth’s resources. Activities include booths for local environmental organizations, a fun self-guided scavenger hunt along the trails at Great Bear, and a tote bag decorating station to promote reducing single-use bags. Attendees will also receive a grow kit to start their own garden at home. 

Learn about the importance of trees in our urban environment at the Urban Arbor Day Festival on Sunday, April 27, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Pasley Park. This festival will feature multiple vendors who will provide resources for your tree-planting projects. There will be live demonstrations from professionals showcasing their tree care equipment, techniques, and knowledge. There will also be live music by the Crabgrass Crew from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., activity books and the Bookmobile, and a hands-on birdhouse-building activity. 

Both the Earth Day Festival and the Urban Arbor Day Festival are free and open to the public. These events offer fantastic opportunities. To learn more, go to siouxfalls.gov/parksandrec.