Stream cleanups, recycling events and free trees: Here’s how JoCo honors Earth Day
Johnson County residents can help Mother Earth this month, whether they want to give an hour, a day or make a lifestyle change. Activities that celebrate Earth Day range from cleaning streams and communities to attending recycling workshops, making earthy crafts, and playing games with recycled materials.
The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. This year, the national focus is on renewable energy, and the theme is Our Power, Our Planet.
Here’s a look at some of the Earth Day celebrations and activities this year in Johnson County:
▪ Gardner Parks and Recreation will be hosting Earth Day/Arbor Day from 10 a.m. to noon April 19 at the Gardner Greenway Corridor and Winwood Park. There will be a community cleanup, followed by a free hot dog lunch at Winwood Park, 520 N. White Drive. All ages welcomed. RSVP by noon April 18.
▪ Leawood’s Earth Day at the Prairie Oak Nature Center will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 25 at the center, 3640 Ironwoods Court. There will be free tree seedlings and earthy crafts. No registration required.
▪ Lenexa will host Dumpster Days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Municipal Services Service Center, 7700 Cottonwood St., Lenexa. Proof of residency is required. Go here for more information.
▪ Mission will host a Citywide Clean Up from 9 to 11 a.m. April 26 beginning with a kick-off breakfast at Beverly Park, 5935 Beverly Ave., Mission. Participants can sign up for a cleanup location and pick up group hats and supplies at the event pick-up from 3 to 6 p.m. April 25 at Mission City Hall, 6090 Woodson Road.
▪ Mission will host an Earth Day Recycling Workshop with Terri Baugh of Mission’s Sustainability Commission at 7 p.m. April 22 at Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway St.
▪ Olathe’s Indian Creek Library will have an Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19 at the library, 16100 W. 135th St. Play games using recycled materials, make crafts using recycled materials, participate in a book swap (bring any books you no longer want and swap them for other books brought to the swap (any not swapped will be donated to the library’s bookstore), and explore educational booths. There will be showing of “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Teen Zone.
▪ Olathe will hold a household hazardous waste at a collection event for Johnson County residents from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 12 at the hazardous waste facility, 1420 S. Robinson Drive. Residents will be asked to provide a photo ID and a general description of items.
Items that can be dropped off include aerosol cans, automotive fluids, automotive and household batteries, bathroom cleaners, carpet cleaners, cooking oil, drain cleaners, fertilizers, paint, lightbulbs and pesticides. E-Waste (electronics) are unable to be accepted at the drop-off event. There is a 5-gallon limit for liquids, chemicals or oils, and paint cannot exceed 25 gallons. For more information, go here.
▪ Overland Park’s Stream Clean will be held Saturday at various parks and waterways in the city. Volunteers are needed to remove trash and debris. Volunteers will pick up the debris, bag it and pile the bags so the Overland Park Parks and Recreation crews can pick up and properly dispose of the collected trash. Supplies will be provided.
▪ Overland Park will host a construction debris drop off from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 19 at Shawnee Mission West High School, 8800 W. 85th St. Items being accepted include old decking, fencing, lumber, railroad ties and other construction and demolition debris. Residents are limited to one visit and no more than a truck and medium trailer amount of waste. Staff will be available to assist with unloading, but residents should be prepared to unload their material at the event.
▪ Overland Park will host a large appliance recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon April 19 at Shawnee Mission West High School, 8800 W. 85th St. Items include refrigerators, ovens, dehumidifiers and dryers. Electronics and small appliances like TVs, computers and microwaves will not be accepted No residency requirement.
▪ Roeland Park will hold a city-wide litter clean-up event for Earth Day at 10 a.m. April 19 beginning at City Hall, 4600 W. 51st St. Supplies will be provided. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. For information go here.
▪ Spring Hill Recreation Commission’s will host Daffodil Days from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at Spring Hill Early Learning Academy, 300 E. South St. It’s a free, family-oriented community event with a nature theme of Arbor Day.
Local businesses, community organizations, and vendors will provide carnival-style games and nature activities. There also will be bounce houses, face painting, music, entertaining demos, games, food and a chainsaw wood carver.
▪ Westwood Hills is hosting an Arbor Day/Egg Hunt Celebration at 10 a.m. April 19 at the Green. There will be an egg hunt and refreshments. New this year will be an Arbor Day poster contest for kids 12 and under.