Weekend brings chances to celebrate, care for nature
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (April 21, 2022) – A couple of local organizations are offering opportunities to care for Mother Nature during what’s expected to be a warm and sunny Earth Day weekend.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is holding organized litter cleanups Saturday from 10 to noon at Atwood, Piedmont, and Seneca Lake parks. Participants will be rewarded with a coupon for a free night of camping for their household. Spokeswoman Adria Bergeron says you can also pick up litter on your own at any MWCD Park between now and Sunday (and post of photo of your haul on Facebook or Instagram with #MWCDEarthDay2022) to be entered into a prize drawing.
“Post your photos on Facebook or Instagram using #MWCDEarthDay2022, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a cooler filled with prizes and a gift certificate you can use at one of our facilities.”
The Tuscarawas County Parks Department is also recruiting helpers for its “Spruce up the Trails” event Saturday from 9 until noon at Canal Lands Park and the Norma Johnson Center. It’s happening rain or shine and supplies will be provided.
Elsewhere in the county, the Tuscarawas County Library System has its Earth Day 5k at New Philadelphia’s Southside Community Park Sunday. Public Relations Associate Molly Calhoun says it begins at 11 am and will be followed by the library’s Earth Day Celebration from noon to 3 featuring various nature-related crafts and activities.
“Every kid that comes we’ll be able to plant their own seed little seed. So I think we have some beans and some native flowers and things like that so they will be able to pot something to take home with them. We also will be doing a special Earth Day storytime at 1 o’clock, and the OSU Extension Office here in the county will have a station where they’ll be talking about plastic water bottles and their impact on the environment, and some activities with that.”
Race registration begins at 10, and participants are asked to park by the soccer fields. It’s 30 dollars for adults and 15 for kids 17 and under with proceeds used to support the library’s summer reading program. There’s no cost to participate in the post-race celebration.