PRESS RELEASE Contact: Patricia Richards at (914) 989-3633 “Children in Action Protecting the Environment on Earth Day” Greenburgh, NY on 4/20/07 Children from Richard J. Bailey and AliceE.GradyElementary Schoolswill join in their annual spring clean up of YosemiteParkin Greenburgh on Friday, April 20th, from 9:00amuntil 2:00pm. They will be engaged in a general sprucing up of the park for the coming spring/summer season as well as some presentations from Riverkeepers and Groundworks-Yonkers. This is an educational effort to develop greater sensitivity to the protection of the environment through doing, learning, and having fun. These children will learn about the importance of the cleanliness of the Hudson Riverthrough a presentation by Riverkeepers and will showcase the documentary film, Swim for the River. Youth from the Mount Vernon Youth Shelter will learn about the destruction of their environment caused by non-native plants and conduct a vine-cutting expedition throughout the park with experts from Westchester County Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Conservation. Employees from the Timberland Retail store in the Westchester Mall will work along side the students in these activities. Activities will range from trash can painting, raking new fibar into the playground areas to increase safety and discourage animal use as a nesting area. They will engage in weeding of planting areas and along the fencing to maintain appearance and safety. The students will be engaged in craft activities throughout the day themed around protecting the environment. The highlight of the day for the children is the cookout provided for them by Officers from the Community Affairs Unit, Greenburgh Police Department. Serving outside their traditional role affords a unique bonding and humanizing experience. One is hard-pressed to determine who enjoys this encounter more, the officers or the children. YosemiteParkis located at 40 Yosemite Avenue, Town of Greenburghand is an adjoining facility to the TheodoreD.YoungCommunity Center(Dept. of Community Resources). This event is coordinated through the Maintenance Division of the Community Center. Our partners in this project include Richard J. Bailey & AliceE.GradyElementary Schools, West. County Dept. Parks, Rec., & Conservation, Greenburgh Police Community Affairs Unit, Mt. Vernon Youth Shelter, Riverkeepers, Timberland Retail Store, and Groundworks Yonkers.