A DJ’s upbeat music carried through the air as hundreds of families poured into Glendora City Hall’s courtyard on April 21.
Glendora’s Earth Day activities entertained children and adults alike throughout the morning.
An “Eco-Tour” hosted by Rebecca Rudd, a recreation aide, guided guests through Glendora’s various ecological locations via shuttle.
The shuttle stopped at points like the drought-tolerant garden in front of City Hall, the city water tower adjacent to Goddard Middle School and West Oaks Grove.
West Oaks Grove is an area of Finkbiner Park where 70 native Coast Live Oak trees shade the lawn and walkways in the area. Rudd said some of the trees are up to 100 years old.
”I think the purpose of (the Eco-Tour) is to point out to the community all the different ways the city is making efforts to be a greener community,” Rudd said. “There’s so many things that our city has to offer that feel like people haven’t heard about.”
Along with the Eco-Tour, an additional shuttle drove guests to Dalton Canyon to get out and explore the area.
Meanwhile, the United States Forest Service mascot, Smokey Bear, made his appearance at the event to meet guests and take part in photo opportunities with members of the community.
Booths hosted by representatives from city organizations and various eco-centric businesses surrounded the center of the upper square behind the City Hall.
A long line of attendees formed to meet with representatives of Glendora’s water division who were distributing information and handing out free water-saving products.
“We just have information on our water conservation program,” Steve Patton, the manager of the city’s water division, said. “Usually we’re the most popular booth here…it will be like that until almost the end.”
Retired chairman of Glendora Trails Council Dick Swinney, left, shows a family a variety of bugs and insects found in the Glendora trials on April 21 at the Glendora Library. Photo by Michael Quintero.One group, the Glendora Trail Council, had on display an array of native insects and small, taxidermied mammals from local trails.
Lyndzee Mcneil, a community service coordinator for Glendora, said the event is “pretty much the same every year…promoting the health of the planet.” However, McNeilsaid there were “more kid activities this year.”
Amanda Lin, a Glendora resident, attended the event with her three-year-old daughter, Iris.
“I really wanted to show my daughter what community is about,” Lin said. She added that the current generation “doesn’t seem to appreciate what the community does.”
“I just want to show (Iris) that part and make sure she’s involved in community.”
Rudd said this year marks the city’s 14th annual Earth Day event.
For those interested in similar community events in Glendora, visit www.glendoracitynews.com to view a calendar with more information.
