Green Friday at the Forsyth Nature Center

Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo would like to announce the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department's first Annual Green Friday Event on Friday, November 29th from 11am-1pm at the Forsyth Nature Center in uptown Kingston.

"This green alternative to the busiest shopping day of the year will allow community members to learn about a variety of environmentally conscious lifestyle choices and products that will be sure to inspire and inform, most of which can be purchased locally" said Mayor Shayne Gallo.

"The Forsyth Nature Center is a great location to host this "Green" event as itself is a teaching tool for those of all ages in the community" said Parks and Recreation Superintendent Kevin Gilfeather.

Mark DeDea, Caretaker of the Forsyth Nature Center and the Friends of Forsyth Nature Center have been working to replace deteriorating pavement around the facility with new, permeable pavers and with the help of the ALCOA Foundation, this work is being completed and a demonstration project will teach others the value of this type of project.

"Providing opportunities to learn about rain barrels, composters, plug in vehicles and energy efficiency information is the best way to spend a part of your shopping day or your lunch hour", notes Steve Noble, an Environmental Educator for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Some of the highlights include:

Composting Demonstrations with 5 composter giveaways

Storm water Management Demonstration with 5 Rain barrel giveaways

Permeable Paving Stone walkway installation demonstration by Berardi Fence and Landscaping at 11:30am

Herzog's Home Center green products and services

Low Cost energy efficiency home upgrades/weatherization/energy audit info

CST (Concrete Stone and Tile Corporation) products and demos including a CST Firepit Kit Giveaway ($500 value)

A fully electric and a hybrid electric car on display

Ink, toner and Cellphone collection

Highlight of energy and sustainability work that has taken place at the Forsyth Nature Center

o Solar array

o Permeable Paving Stone Patio and Permeable Asphalt Parking Lot

o Rain barrel, storm runoff collection

Rain garden demonstration project on site, with information

Holiday shopping tips for birders

Friends of Forsyth Nature Center will be on hand with FNC merchandise, engraveable paver sales which make great holiday gifts

This Project is supported by the ALCOA Foundation and the Friends of Forsyth Nature Center. Recently, the Friends of Forsyth Nature Center received a $15,000 grant from the Foundation to construct a Porous Paving Demonstration Project at the Forsyth Nature Center along with a series of Rain Barrel Workshops during the Fall of 2013 and Spring of 2014. Additional recycling amenities will also be added to the park in the Spring of 2014. This event will be held rain or shine.

Pre-Registration is welcomed. Parking is available at the Nature Center?s Dietz Stadium Entrance and/or the Lucas Avenue Entrance to Forsyth Park. For more information about this event or to register, please click here or visit www.kingstonparksandrec.org or call 845-481-7336.