Environmental Expeditions with the Safe Summer Parks Program

pic of kids in abbey brookBeginning in June, 2018 Regreen Springfield will embark on an important initiative that will bring STEM and environmental learning opportunities to youth and Springfield’s younger residents through programming in our city’s parks, that will deliver active living programming and improve neighborhood resiliency.

Recognizing the important role of parks in community health, safety and wellbeing, the Safe Sumer parks Program will provide summer programming that engages youth around various community and environmental issues.

This effort is the result of a partnership between the City of Springfield Parks Department and the Department of Health and Human Service, MASS in Motion, the US Forest Service and UMass/Amherst.  Each session will be held in one of Springfield’s public parks, and lunch will be available to all Springfield school aged youth via the Food, Friends and Fun Program and the Springfield School’s Summer Food Service Program.

The program is free of charge, and is open to ages 10-17 years old. You must register to attend a session.  

TO REGISTER:  To register for a session, please complete the information form at https://goo.gl/forms/GRzUPnu9ltllJSO02

If you need more information, please call 413/523-0014.

*** TWO AUGUST SESSIONS STILL HAVE OPENINGS***

PROGRAM DATES, LOCATIONS AND ADVENTURE TOPICS
ALL SESSIONS ARE HELD FROM 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM unless noted.

SESSION #1 – July 9, 2018 at ECOS
Ecological Features of Urban Landscapes: Looking at Forest Park
Participants will inventory and assess the natural features in one Springfield public park, and report on the function and value of the park’s environment.

SESSION #2 – July 12, 2018 at Van Horn Park
Springfield’s Parks & Greenspace: a summer learning adventure
Provides an overview of Springfield’s urban forest and natural features, including trees, water, birds, and wildlife.

SESSION #3 – July 20, 2018 at ECOS 
Forest Park Neighborhood Tree Canopy Assessment using i-Tree software tools
Provides an opportunity for youth to examine the tree canopy of this historic neighborhood, and learn about the benefits that trees provide.

SESSION #4 – July 24, 2018 at Van Horn Park
Ecological Survey of Van Horn’s Natural Features
Participants will inventory and assess the natural features in one Springfield public park, and report on the function and value of the park’s environment.

SESSION #5 July 25, 2018 at Harriett Tubman Park (Hickory Street)
Park Clean-Up and Eco Adventure
A clean-up of the park will be completed in the park, and we will take a look at the surrounding neighborhood, as we take a nature walk along the shore of Lake Massasoit.

SESSION #6 – July 27, 2018 at ECOS
Park Infrastructure Audit of Forest Park
This includes a survey and audit of park physical components such as benches, tables, swings, play structures, buildings, paving and other furnishings.

SESSION #7 – July 31, 2018 at Magazine Park
Community Environmental Fest at Magazine Park     *Note Event Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
A late afternoon and evening ‘Sustainable Springfield’ community event will be held at Magazine Park, where community members will be introduced to ecological concepts, healthful living and active lifestyles.

SESSION #8 – August 1, 2018 at ECOS
Shade Tree Planting in Forest Park
Participants will learn how to plant a tree, and will help to install (6) new trees in a park location to be determined by Springfield Parks Department staff.

SESSION #9 – August 16, 2018 at Kenefick Park *NOTE NEW DATE*
Science Exploration Adventure
Learn how to have fun while studying Springfield’s urban forest environment. This final session will provide tips for how youth can continue to explore the natural world around them throughout the year.

SESSION #10 – August 21, 2018 at Myrtle Street Park, Indian Orchard *NOTE NEW DATE*
Landscape Design Exercise and Planting at the Park
This includes a hands-on ‘charette,’ or landscape design and planning event, that will create a plan for a new planting area at the playground.  Later in the day, we will plant the first phase of the landscape project.

 

PARK LOCATIONS
To find the specific location of each park, please visit http://www.springfield-ma.gov/park/index.php?id=park-facilities

All park locations are serviced by PVTA bus routes.  For information visit http://www.pvta.com/


mass in motion lobospringfield sealFunding for this program is provided by the City of Springfield Department of Health and Human Services and the Mass in Motion program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

Comments are closed.