News Releases
Earth Day celebration set for Saturday, April 18; FREE Rides on the T for Earth Day on April 18
(Sent: 2009-03-17 05:05:10)NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2009
Contacts:
Kathy Richardson, waste reduction and recycling operations supervisor, 832-3030
Matt Bond, stormwater engineer, 832-3142
Casey Toomay public transit administrator, 832-3409
Steve Stewart, fleet manager, 832-3020
Crystal Miles, horticulture manager, 832-7970
(Lawrence, Kansas) – The City of Lawrence celebrates Earth Day 2009 with a day of activities. The 9th annual Earth Day Celebration in South Park, hosted by the Waste Reduction and Recycling Division, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Apr. 18, in South Park. The day starts with a parade, hosted by KU Environs, at 11 a.m. on Massachusetts Street from Seventh Street to South Park.
The celebration in the park features live music, children’s activities and food vendors. Attendees are invited to learn from exhibits about waste reduction, recycling, composting, alternative fuels and vehicles, energy conservation, land preservation, wildlife and habitat preservation, and more.
The Douglas County Water Festival will also be held offering interactive, educational activities emphasizing the importance of clean water to families, the community and environment. The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department will host garden and tree identification tours. Also on display in the park will be three city vehicles, an E-85 car, a Toyota Prius, and the GEM electric vehicle. All activities are free and open to the public.
The Lawrence Transit System will offer free rides on the T all day Saturday, April 18, providing the experience and benefits of public transportation on all fixed routes. To get help planning a route or for more information, call (785) 312-7054 or visit www.lawrencetransit.org to view schedules and try the Google Trip Planner.
Schedule for Earth Day Activities
6 a.m. to 8 p.m. free ridership on the Lawrence Transit System
11 a.m. Parade begins, traveling south on Massachusetts Street from Seventh Street to South Park
11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. of the City of Lawrence Earth Day Celebration in South Park
11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.April Showers to Water Towers – A Water Festival for Douglas County in South Park
11:30a.m. tree identification walk in South Park by Lawrence Parks and Recreation forestry staff
12:30 p.m. tour of South Park butterfly garden and rose garden and Downtown Japanese Friendship Garden by Lawrence Parks and Recreation horticulture staff
2 p.m. tour of South Park butterfly garden and rose garden and Downtown Japanese Friendship Garden by Lawrence Parks and Recreation horticulture staff
3 p.m. tree identification walk in South Park by Lawrence Parks and Recreation forestry staff
Other Earth Day activities happening in the Lawrence community can be found at www.LawrenceRecycles.org
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(Lawrence, KS) – The Lawrence Transit System will provide free rides on Saturday, April 18, 2009. The public is invited to ride the T to the Parade for the Earth and its celebration at South Park.
Individuals riding the T will experience the benefits of public transportation: avoiding traffic and parking concerns, saving money, helping reduce greenhouse gases and conserving energy.
Free ridership on Saturday, April 18, will not be limited to riders taking the T to the Parade for the Earth and its celebration at South Park. The fare on all eight fixed routes will be waived. For those traveling to Earth Day activities downtown, all transit routeswith the exception of Route 5—arrive at 9th and Massachusetts.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the transportation sector produces one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. By choosing to ride public transit, people can reduce their carbon footprint and conserve energy by eliminating travel that would otherwise be made in a private vehicle. The result is fewer vehicle miles of travel and reduced emissions.
First time riders will find that transit drivers are an excellent resource for information. Drivers can help with transfers and explanation of timing points. For assistance with trip planning call 312-7054 or visit www.lawrencetransit.org to see a route map and timetable.
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