Thanks to funding from the First 5 Sacramento Commission, the Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Park District has built a new Tot Lot and Butterfly Garden.
The Park District's Board of Directors invites the community to celebrate this new park addition by releasing live butterflies and planting wild flowers that will makeup part of the new butterfly garden. This component is one way for children to appreciate and care for their environment and see how plants feed and shelter animals. Butterflies are attracted to sweet scented flowers, especially those with bright, vibrant colors. The plants in this butterfly garden will provide food and shelter to butterflies at all stages of their development. The Grand Opening Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, at 10:00am at the Rio Linda Elverta Community Center Park located at 810 Oak Lane in Rio Linda.
The First 5 Sacramento grant funded the new Tot Lot playground specifically designed for children under the age of five. The equipment is "pint size" to meet their needs. First 5 Sacramento funds the building of Tot Lots as one strategy to reduce obesity rates for children under age five in Sacramento County. Currently, one in five children is overweight and the number is rising. Obese or overweight children become sick more often, perform more poorly in school, are at heightened risk for a number of diseases and conditions and are increasingly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension and increased blood cholesterol.
First 5 Sacramento uses Proposition 10 (tobacco tax) funds to support the healthy development of children ages zero to five, and in partnership with Parks and Recreation Districts and other entities, will continue to build safe environments designed for young children to increase physical activity and encourage play. These playgrounds have a minimum life span of 15 years and will continue to be a community asset for families for many generations to come.
For a map and street locations of the Tot Lots, go to www.First5Sacramento.net or call (916) 876-5865.
For additional information, please call the Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Park District at (916)991-5929.