Picnic for the Planet

April 22, will mark the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day. To honor and to commemorate this momentous occasion, a number of local businesses and organizations are banding to together to invite you to “Picnic for the Planet,” Sat., April 17, 3-6 p.m., Douglas Park, Oklahoma City. Planned and organized as a low-impact, low-carbon event with the goal of a very small carbon footprint, building community, supporting local businesses, farmers and ranchers, and honoring Earth Day, “Picnic for the Planet” is free and open to the public. Everyone is invited to bring their own picnic and join in low-carbon fun.

Purpose: Build community, honor our planet, and celebrate nature and the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day with low-carbon impact.

When: Sat., April 17, 3 – 6 p.m.; rain date, Sun., April 18, 3 – 6 p.m.

Where: Douglas Park, Oklahoma City. This large city park is close to Centennial Expressway, and has a playground, pavilion, gazebo, baseball field and plenty of parking. Click here for a Google map.

Who: Everyone is invited and it’s free.

Sponsored by: Earth

Organizers: Dwellings, Earth Elements Farm, EatWiseOKC, Land+Form, Cimarron Group of the Sierra Club, Planet Nichols Hills, Slow Food OKC, Sustainable OKC, Transition Town OKC, and VanStavern Design Group.

·         Bring your own picnic made from local food, or from a local restaurant or caterer. Support our local farmers, ranchers and businesses! A dollar spent with a local farmer, rancher, producer, restaurant or store is usually spent 6 to 15 times before it leaves the community. From $1, you create $5 to $14 in value within that community. Spend $1 at a national chain store, and 80 percent of it leaves town immediately.

·         Commit to a low-trash event. Bring reusable items such as napkins, plastic plates and cups. Pack-in and pack-out your trash and pick up after yourself and your group.

·         Carpool, ride a bus, bike or walk to the picnic. By carpooling, using transit, walking or biking to the picnic we will use less energy and pollute less.  

·         Have low-carbon fun. Bring picnic blankets, camp chairs, drinks, Frisbees, footballs, baseballs/gloves, soccer balls, acoustic guitars, drums, unplugged musical instruments.

·         Build community. Visit with neighbors, friends, make new friends.

·         No signage, flyers, handing out of materials, selling, solicitation, advertising or fundraising. Just come have fun together.

·         Share if you’d like. If you want to share your picnic with others in a potluck, the organizers will provide a few tables for tabling of picnic items.  You’re also welcome to bring your own portable table if you have one.