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Summer Environmental Education Program at Keney Park in Hartford
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Jun 24, 2010 - 2:29 PM

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today joined the Hartford Health & Human Services Department and Friends of Keney Park to kick off Connecticut DEP’s Environmental Justice 2010 summer program for approximately thirty Hartford youth ages 12-17.

The summer program, from June 21 through August 13, emphasizes environmental education and introduces participants to the natural environment found in Keney Park, in their neighborhoods and throughout Connecticut.

Deputy Commissioner Susan Frechette said, “The goal of environmental education is not only to increase awareness of the outdoors, but to increase one’s knowledge of environmental concerns. By educating Connecticut’s youth, we are attempting to create future environmental stewards who will grow up caring about the environment in which they live and who will be motivated to support programs that protect and preserve the natural environment. Partnering with the City of Hartford and Friends of Keney Park provides us the opportunity to showcase a beautiful city park rich in history and the natural world.”

The focus of the program is on Connecticut wildlife, aquatics, tree identification, nature walks and other presentations that promote environmental awareness. Field trips will include visits to Stratton Brook State Park, Dinosaur State Park, Sessions Woods Wildlife Management area, Kellogg Environmental Center and Burlington Fish Hatchery. Activities will include canoeing, fishing and discovering the natural resources found in Keney Park.

Studies have shown that environmental education helps promote student achievement and critical thinking skills, while increasing student interest science and math. These are skills necessary for future career opportunities including green jobs that are in the increase in our country.

Keney Park, Hartford

With over 693 acres of resources, Keney Park is truly an urban resource for the greater Hartford community. The Park includes an 18-hole golf course, swimming pool and water park, tennis courts, basketball courts, exercise course, cricket fields, playgrounds, handball courts, and hiking trails. The Park also hosts a banquet hall facility that can hold over 75 people.

The Park is home of the Ebony Horsewomen. The Ebony Horsewomen is a female non-profit equestrian organization dedicated to the education and promotion of equestrian exposure to urban youth.

Keney Park was designed by the Olmsted firm which was also responsible for other nation-wide urban gems including: New York City’s Central Park, Boston Commons, Biltmore Estate and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

Friends of Keney Park President Bayyinnah Lyons said, “For over 20 years the Friends of Keney Park has worked with federal, state, local, and community groups to develop programs and generate excitement about what Keney Park can offer its users. We have worked with our partners to help secure over $6 million dollars in funding for the upgrade, repair and enhancement of Keney Park facilities.”

Friends of Keney Park Vice President Henry Hester said, “With Charles Eliot and the Olmsted firm bringing in a million trees and plants, Keney Park has become the perfect tool for environmental education.”


No Child Left Inside®

No Child Left Inside® was introduced in 2006 by Governor M. Jodi Rell and is designed to reconnect children with the outdoors, showcase the recreational opportunities available in Connecticut’s state parks and forests, and build the next generation of environmental stewards.

A goal of Connecticut’s No Child Left Inside® initiative is to provide urban youth the opportunity to experience nature, first hand, by participating in creative, scientific, and thought-provoking environmental activities.

“Some activities such as fishing and canoeing may have felt ‘out of reach’ for some participants, but summer programs such as this one provide a safe and educational way for youth to try something new, have fun and expand their minds at the same time,” added Frechette.

To help accomplish this goal, the DEP Environmental Justice Program has partnered with a variety of local organizations and state agencies since 2006 to create summer programs that would appeal to urban youth and provide the opportunity for environmental education. Connecticut DEP’s Environmental Justice program have offered summer programs to Warriors for Change(WFC) Youth Program of Hartford, Christian Community Action (CCA) Stepping Stones of New Haven, City of Hartford Park and Recreation, and Camp Noah in Hartford.

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