Root River center to open May 3

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside will celebrate the grand opening of the Root River Environmental Community Center (REC) with a full day of outdoor activities on May 3.

Located at 1301 6th Street along the Root River, the REC Center is a new venue for area residents to study the urban ecology and enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities.

"Fundamentally, we want the REC to be a community resource," said Tom Schnaubelt, UW-Parkside dean for community engagement and civic learning. "We want the REC to encourage environmental education; we want it to encourage different kinds of research by university and local middle and high school students. And we want to encourage people to live sustainable lifestyles."

In addition to a variety of recreational activities, the REC Center will demonstrate green building techniques, natural landscaping, eco-conscious products, and natural designs. Research and education opportunities including bat monitoring, water safety, soil and water conservation, bike maintenance, and more are offered.

"We're going to offer excuses for people to enjoy themselves outside," said Ben Lehner, UW-Parkside's environmental education coordinator. "People will be able to go out in canoes, kayaks and bicycles and we'll have fishing equipment available. People can start interacting with this natural space."

Strategically located at the juncture where the river leaves parkland and enters the urban space of Racine, the REC Center's major goal is to give area residents a chance to interact with the river and its environs.

"We need to expose young people to a positive experience with the natural environment in urban settings," Schnaubelt said. "There are all sorts of things in, on, and near the river that people can experience that are positive. They need to hear that there's hope here."

The May 3 grand opening starts with "Fish On!" a free fishing event for children up to age 15 years sponsored by Leadership Racine, and the River Alliance of Wisconsin “Running the Root” paddling trip, all starting at 9:30 a.m. Grand opening activities begin at noon and include canoe and kayak rides, a native drum circle, a break dancing demo by Motion Disorderz Crew, a sidewalk chalk art contest, live music, free food, and more. Parking is available at the 21^st Century Preparatory School on Mound Avenue, a short walk from the REC Center on the Root River Pathway. Handicap parking is available on site and a map is available on the REC website.

For more information, call 262-595-2402 or visit www.uwp.edu Keyword REC.