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Lincoln Parks & Recreation Newsletter, December 2010
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Greetings!
This month's banner image features a very snowy Williamsburg Park taken by a faithful lnkparksrec twitter follower @Nyannet (Matt).Please, feel free to contact us at parks@lincoln.ne.gov with your comments and suggestions. If you know of someone interested in this information, please spread the word by using the link at the bottom to forward this newsletter. Past newsletters can be found on the News & Publications section of our website. |
Holiday Trees
Again this year, Parks and Recreation is partnering with the City's Recycling Operations Division to provide free holiday tree recycling in several parks throughout Lincoln. As a reminder, please remove trees from plastic bags and make sure all nails, wires and tree stands are also removed to allow for the most efficient recycling of the trees. Sites are open Christmas Day through January 9. For a map of locations, information on how to obtain free mulch, and for waste reduction tips this holiday season, please visit recycle.lincoln.ne.gov.
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Join us for the Senior Holiday Potluck at "F" Street Community Center
The Senior Holiday Potluck at "F" Street Community Center will be held Thursday, Dec 16. The Lincoln Senior Chorus will perform at 11:00 and dinner will be served at 11:30. The fee is $6 or a covered dish. Please call in advance to register, 441-7951.
 | | Don't miss the Lincoln Senior Chorus performance at 11:00a |
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Belmont Neighborhood Roper Park Clean Up
On November 20th, the Belmont area's Roper Park received a winter makeover! Thanks to a collaboration of Belmont neighborhood patrons and Lincoln Parks and Recreation, the clean-up was a huge success. Helpers included Belmont students, residents, merchants, the Belmont Recreation Center and Community Learning Center, and the Lincoln Sunrise Kiwanis group. The event brought many neighborhood patrons together all wishing to better the Belmont community. Following the clean-up, the Belmont Runza provided Runzas to the Roper Park Clean-Up team.
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Nature Center Completes Fall Programming, Continues Winter Traditions
The busy fall school hike season is over; almost 5,000 students, guided by our trained and enthusiastic staff, explored Nature Center habitats and made memorable discoveries of t he natural world.
Thanks to Dave Titterington of Wild Bird Habitat Stores, our outreach vulture has a new enclosure next to the bald eagle. We also have a new screech owl and male kestrel. These birds came from Raptor Recovery Nebraska, as do all our exhibit birds. Because of injuries, they are not releasable. Come out and get acquainted!
It has long been a tradition at the Nature Center to decorate a red cedar tree for the holidays with dried plants from either our prairie or herb garden. The Pre-K children are now helping to continue that tradition under the direction of preschool director, Sueann Ahrens. After discussing some fun information about them, each child received a bouquet of prairie plants and placed it on the cedar. Then, for a finishing touch, they threw a little milkweed seed 'snow' on the tree. Each child took home a picture of their special plant with information about it and about the red cedar. Come out and take a look at the tree that stands just outside the Prairie Building.
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Eagle Scouts volunteered to clean-up the planting beds at 3rd & A on Saturday November 7th. The volunteer effort was arranged by Taven Zelnio. Partnering with the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department, the work included weeding and mulching, pruning shrubs, and the installation of
additional drought tolerant low maintenance plant material.
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Special Thanks to Lincoln Community Foundation for Spreading Holiday Cheer
Lincoln Parks and Recreation expresses sincere appreciation to the Lincoln Community Foundation for providing funding through its Marjorie Barstow Endowed Fund for the wreath that will grace the Cascade Fountain at 27th and Capitol Parkway and 18 lighted obelisk frames in Sunken Gardens. These community beautification projects will be in place to bring cheer during the holiday season, and to brighten upcoming winter months. Parks and Recreation Director Lynn Johnson said, "We're very appreciative of this opportunity to partner with the Lincoln Community Foundation in providing seasonal color and interest in Antelope Park and the Sunken Gardens. This gift demonstrates the power of planned giving and the continuing benefits of the generosity of donors to our community over time."
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Beds to Bed 2010 
On a bright sunny November morning, more than 50 volunteers worked at Sunken Gardens to help put the Beds to Bed. This annual event sponsored by the Lincoln Parks Foundation and Lincoln Parks & Recreation prepared the flower beds for winter rest. With coffee, juice, donuts and rolls to power volunteers' muscles and spirits, they were able to turn all the beds and fertilize in less than 3 hours! Next spring, we will Wake Up the Beds and prepare for planting on May 14.
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Park It Outside This Winter
As winter weather approaches, you can find the best outdoor fun in our parks - for free! The perfect sledding area is at Pioneers Park, complete with a ramp and lights. Pioneers Park is also a great place for cross country skiing. Lighted ice skating areas are available at Oak Lake and Bowling Lake - bring your own skates!
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 The Veteran's Memorial Garden photo which appeared in last month's newsletter was courtesy of lnkparksrec twitter follower @rossnelson. Thanks Ross!
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