A Day at Don Knabe Park: Celebrating Earth Day with Free Family Resources
On Saturday, April 5th, 2025, my family and I spent a fun and educational afternoon at the Los Angeles County Earth Day celebration at Don Knabe Community Regional Park. Hosted by Supervisor Janice Hahn, this free community event offered everything from hands-on workshops to tree giveaways, with a welcoming family-friendly atmosphere.
Here’s a look at the amazing free programs and vendors we discovered. There are many free resources you can take advantage of all year long!
Free Programs and Vendors to Check Out
1. Long Beach Beekeepers – Free Beekeeping 101
If you’ve ever thought about keeping bees, this is your sign! The Long Beach Beekeepers offer a completely free Beekeeping 101 course to help you get started. Their booth was buzzing with hands-on displays and helpful tips for beginners.
2. Edison Tool Lending Library – Borrow Tools for Free
Thanks to the SCE Tool Lending Library, you can borrow tools for gardening, home improvement, and DIY projects—for free! A great sustainable option if you don’t want to buy new equipment.
3. Cerritos College Garden – Free Gardening Classes
The Cerritos College CNPS Garden team shared info on their free native plant gardening classes and their public garden space. It’s a peaceful place to learn how to grow sustainably and connect with nature.
4. LAMI Top Sail – Learn to Sail for Free
The Los Angeles Maritime Institute offers a unique opportunity to volunteer and learn to sail in Long Beach. Their Top Sail program is perfect for teens and adults alike who want to build skills on the water.
The LA County Fire Department was giving away free trees and plants to encourage native landscaping and fire-safe yards. It’s a generous way to promote sustainability and fire awareness.
6. LA County Library – Free Books for Kids
The LA County Library had a booth handing out free books, bookmarks, and reading info for children. Their team was incredibly kind and encouraged families to explore library resources year-round.
7. Rancho Los Cerritos – In-Person Storytime
We were excited to meet the team from Rancho Los Cerritos and learn about their free in-person storytime events. The setting is beautiful, and their programming blends history, literacy, and nature.
What We Ate: Spicy & Satisfying Indo-Chinese Dishes
The Nanking Indo Chinese Restaurant was the food vendor at the event. I tried their vegetable samosas and chicken biryani, both packed with flavor and a bit of a kick. The biryani had a nice spice to it, but their cooling dressing balanced it out perfectly.
If you enjoy bold spices and savory rice dishes, check them out in Cerritos.
Final Thoughts
This event was a beautiful reminder that you don’t have to spend money to enjoy quality time with your family, support the planet, and learn something new. From free gardening classes and book giveaways to storytime and tree planting, there’s no shortage of community resources right here in LA County.
Bookmark this post and share it with a friend. There is something here for every eco-curious family!
