Penitentiary Glen hosting Earth Day bash

Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland is ready to celebrate all thing Earth, but more specifically, the layer of gases comprising the atmosphere — air.

“Clean air is important for all living things,” said Lake Metroparks Assistant Chief of Interpretation Pat Morse, adding that the 2017 theme comes after pinpointing the vitality of water and soil in previous years.

“Earth Day in and of itself is its own theme, but we like to focus on smaller themes that are key to our survival. We’ve concentrated on energy and recycling, too, but since air literally surrounds us, and since the atmosphere is so important for everything, we chose it for this Earth Day.

“Air is so much more than living weather,” she said. “It sustains life, it is life. It’s so huge, clean air is so huge and many times we don’t think about it. It’s fragile and we’re so interdependent, the entire environmental

system.”

Bringing in staff and resources from Lake Metroparks Farmpark for the April 23 event, Earth Day 2017 will feature interactive themed activities, games, crafts and demonstrations for kids and

adults. The celebration runs from noon to 4 p.m.

Guests will also be able to find out what local conservation-focused organizations and agencies are doing and how to participate in protecting clean air at the Eco-Fair.

“We’re also giving away free trees, as families will also be able to take home sugar maple seedlings,” Morse said. “We’ll have the Erie Heights Brass Ensemble here, storytelling and the Earth Day Marketplace with vendors providing local items for purchase.”

Additional activities will include:

•The “Air – It’s Everywhere!” trail

•Meeting native Ohio wildlife

•Animals from Farmpark

•Simple-to-make ecofriendly crafts

•Haircut-a-thon presented by Ladies & Gentleman Salon & Spa

• Miniature train rides provided by the Lake Shore Live Steamers between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., weather permitting

Morse said making the Earth a healthier place is the key aim of the holiday, and that anyone can contribute to the endeavor.

“Air is the oxygen that plants give off and people and animals need to breathe. Air is the carbon dioxide that people and animals exhale and plants need to survive. It does everything. When air gets hot, it rises, cold it drops. It’s everywhere. Celebrating it just makes sense.”

Penitentiary Glen is located at 8668 KirtlandChardon Road. Visit www. lakemetroparks.com for more information.

SUBMITTED Event manager Andy McGovern holds a young goat, called a kid, during Penitentiary Glen’s Earth Day celebration as visitors look on. The Lake Metroparks property will host 2017 Earth Day April 23 from noon to 4 p.m.