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By RANDY PATRICK

Sun Reporter

At Legacy Grove Thursday, some kids learned about bobcats, minks, and foxes, while others played with a giant inflatable Earth balloon, and still others lolled about on the grass with their moms and dads, listening to live music.

It was the first Earth Day celebration at the new park on Lexington Avenue, and it was all free.

“Environmental education is our thing,” Deborah Jackson, executive director of Legacy Greenscapes, said. “That’s what we’re here for. It’s an opportunity for children to learn how to be good stewards of the earth.”

Some were bundled up in winter coats and knit caps on what was an unusually brisk spring afternoon, and earlier in the day there were droplets of ice falling from the sky, but the children weren’t complaining. Jackson is from Iowa, so she thought it was “perfect.”

“We’re really excited about the turnout, and the weather is pretty good,” she said. “They’re here, and they’re bringing their parents with them to have a good time.”

The celebration included crafts, a book walk, learning about birds and trees, games and free seedlings.

Participants and sponsors included Legacy Greenscapes, Clark County Cooperative Extension, Lower Howard’s Creek Nature and Heritage Preserve, the Clark County Public Library, Nature Reliance School, Environmental Education Leadership Corps, the city of Winchester’s stormwater program, Winchester-Clark County Farmers Market, Full Circle Market, Sekisui, WIN Environmental Education Network, Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation and musicians including singer-songwriter Erin Sliney.