Last September the Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Park District celebrated the opening of a new tot lot playground at the Rio Linda Elverta Community Center Park located at 810 Oak Lane. This tot lot, funded through a grant from the First 5 Sacramento Commission, is a pint sized playground designed for children under the age of five so the equipment meets their needs.
NOT FOUND: tot lot.jpgOne year later, the Park District Board of Directors rededicated the park with the addition of shade structures and a butterfly garden. Supervisor and First 5 Sacramento Chair, Roger Dickinson, represented the Commission and celebrated with the crowd by releasing live monarch butterflies onto the wild flowers that will make up the new butterfly garden.
First 5 Sacramento funds the building of Tot Lots as one physical activity 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.
The new butterfly garden 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 sweetly 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.
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, has built 25 safe environment tot lots 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 many years for families. For a map and street locations of the Tot Lots, go to www.first5sacramento.net or call 876-5865. Each county has a First 5 Children and Families Commission providing unique local services for that county. Surrounding First 5’s include: First 5 Yolo: 530-669-2475; First 5 Placer: 530-745-1304; First 5 El Dorado: 530-672-8298.
For additional information about the tot lot please call the Rio Linda Elverta Recreation and Park District 916-991-5929.