Celebrate, Educate, and Make a Difference

Celebrate Earth Day with Parks & Rec. This week-long event brings the Virginia Beach community together to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. Immerse yourself in earth-focused activities all week long.

Earth Day 1970

Earth Day was actually established on April 22, 1970, by Gaylord Nelson, a former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. Nelson came up with the idea for a national day to focus on the environment after he witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, in 1969. 

Twenty million Americans — at the time, 10% of the total population of the United States — took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies.

Earth Day 1970 Part 1: Intro (CBS News with Walter Cronkite)
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Explore "Wonder Walkers" at Williams Farm Park

Enjoy a stroll through Williams Farm Park and experience the "Wonder Walkers" StoryWalk®, available April through June. This interactive outdoor reading experience brings the pages of Micha Archer’s beautifully illustrated book to life, encouraging curiosity and exploration of the natural world.