More Earth Day Events Planned This Weekend

Earth Day was Thursday, but related activities will be blooming all over the Valley on Saturday, including runners, gardeners, planners and a group involved in an historical restoration.

Encino Elementary School will join members of the Encino Chamber of Commerce in an “Earthday Workday,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Los Encinos State Historical Park.

Volunteers are asked to bring their own tools and gloves to help revitalize the historical kitchen garden, clean up the duck habitat, weed, prune and paint at the 5-acre property, which is part of the original land grant.

A gas-powered hedger, hoes, shovels, a wheelbarrow and other equipment will be especially welcome. Refreshments will be provided.

In the future, the park will be used for environmental education projects, thanks to a grant from the California State Parks Foundation.

For information, call (323) 969-1702.

The eighth annual Castaic Lake 5K/10-Mile Races will be run starting at 8 a.m., rain or shine.

Both races will include 10 age groups, beginning with age 13.

Members of the Santa Clarita Runners Club are the official race timers.

Aid stations and refreshments will be provided.

Participants may register and pick up packages beginning at 6:30 a.m. race day. For information, call (661) 257-4014.

Additionally, local students will compete for $5,000 in scholarships as part of a contest to create a development plan for an imaginary piece of downtown property.

Three student teams under the direction of Monroe High School Principal Joan Elam and teacher Todd Tyni created urban redevelopment plans as part of the competition.

The high school juniors and seniors will make their final oral presentations to a panel of judges. The winning team will be announced May 10.