A greener celebration in Powderhorn Park National and local water groups will help teach about clea
TOM MEERSMAN
Star Tribune Last update: July 2, 2010 - 9:00 PM
Powderhorn Park is always a busy place on July 4, but this year features some new -- and green -- activities. A visiting national film crew will have its biodiesel bus parked in the south Minneapolis park, along with a "water village" and family-friendly activities.
WHO'S DOING THIS? The effort is called Expedition: Blue Planet, and it involves Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of the famous late ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. The National Geographic Society is a partner.
WHAT'S THE LOCAL CONNECTION? Minneapolis is the first stop for the bus on its 14,500-mile tour across North America to investigate water issues and educate the public about water conservation.
Local help is coming from Blue Thumb, a clean-water program started by Rice Creek Watershed District that now has many chapters in Minnesota. Also involved is Metro Blooms, whose mission is to promote eco-friendly gardening that beautifies neighborhoods and protects the environment. Both groups focus on what individuals can do to prevent water pollution by planting rain gardens to stop runoff and by improving shorelines to reduce erosion.
WHAT'S HAPPENING? The bus will stop at Target Field today to film a segment about the new ballpark's innovative ways to conserve and reuse rainwater. It will be at Powderhorn Park on July 4 to offer children's games and watershed-improvement demonstrations. Visitors also can pick up free native plants, meet Cousteau and take walking tours of 20 neighborhood rain gardens between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. All activities are free.
WHAT ELSE? The Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association has organized its usual activities, which include picnics, live music and food vendors, beginning at 3 p.m. Dancers will perform at 9 p.m., before a fireworks finale at 9:30 p.m. Planners said the annual event typically draws 8,000 to 10,000 people.
Tom Meersman • 612-673-7388
Posted: July 6, 2010