By Lindsey Shay | Staff Writer
Saturday, April 22, is officially Earth Day, but a variety of DARTable activities are happening throughout April, celebrated as Earth Month. The biggest environmental event in our region is EarthX Expo at Fair Park, but you have many more options.
Just by taking DART to get there, you are doing your part to help reduce pollution and support the environment. So, get on board and get to these festivals and events celebrating Mother Earth and green practices.
April 16 Oak Cliff Earth Day takes place at Lake Cliff Park highlights the uniqueness and beauty of Oak Cliff. Check it out from noon-5 p.m. The park is easily accessible from the Oakenwald stop on the Dallas Streetcar, which departs just across the street from Union Station.
April 16 Flora Fest take place at Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The family-friendly event features critter encounters, butterfly releases, train rides, facepainting, snake exhibit, wine tasting and much more. A master naturalist will be on hand to answer your questions. Texas Discovery Gardens is located in Fair Park, and is easily accessible from MLK, Jr. Station on the Green Line.
April 21-23 EarthX Expo is a free, family-friendly festival where hundreds of exhibitors gather at Fair Park to show how green lifestyle choices can lower your cost of living, create a healthier environment, and improve your health. There are food trucks, an electric vehicle and alternative fuel showcase, recycling and compost demonstrations, and much more. Be sure to stop by the DART booth! DART also will be hosting a live “Music Station” featuring local sitar performers at the Green Line’s Fair Park Station on Friday, April 21 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The festival takes place all weekend long.
April 21 Klyde Warren Park celebrates Earth Day on a Friday. Bring the little ones for a special storytelling session from 10-10:30 a.m., then spend the rest of the morning crafting art items with Mother Nature-related themes. You can walk to the park from St. Paul Station on all four DART Rail lines. The M-Line Trolley drops you off right at the park.
April 22 Earth Day Flowerpot Painting is just one event happening at the Carrollton Public Library at Josey Ranch Lake. The city is going all out for Earth Day with workshops, an art contest, crafts, and more, from 1-3 p.m. Take Bus Route 233 from Farmers Branch Station.
April 22-23 Earth Day Market at the Dallas Arboretum takes place Saturday and Sundayfrom 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Expect plenty of locally made Earth-friendly and sustainable goods from some of the area’s coolest vendors. Take Bus Route 214 from EBJ Union Station.
April 29 Arbor Day has been around even longer than Earth Day – in fact, it dates to the 16th century, and its theme is inherently “green.” The City of Irving (a Certified Tree City) celebrates the day at Heritage Park. The event features live entertainment, face painters, the City of Irving Forestry Team, and more. The first 150 attendees receive free three-gallon containerized trees. The park is three blocks from Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station on the Trinity Railway Express (TRE).
April 29 Earth Day Block Party is Addison’s celebration from noon-2 p.m. There will be food trucks, live music, crafts, a scavenger hunt, and more. The event take place in the parking lot of the Addison Conference and Theatre Centre, as well as in Addison Circle Park. Both are walkable from Addison Transit Center, served by numerous bus routes.
For more details go to DART.org/SPD or call DART Customer Information at 214-979-1111.