Open Streets, an event that encourages families to get outside together while promoting health and wellness, is happening on Saturday in Lawton on C Avenue.
Sandy Foster, with Comanche County Memorial Hospital’s TSET Healthy Living Program, said the event has been doing great since it was brought back last year, and loves the family-friendly space it provides for the community.
Dr. Alimamy Fornah, an assistant professor at Cameron, said one thing kids will be able to learn about is healthy eating because Cameron University has donated 300 tomato seedlings.
“So once you get your tomato seedlings, what you need to do, number one, know that the plants need water, sunlight, and nutrients for it to grow,” he said. “So, don’t take it and put it under your bed expecting that it will grow effectively.”
Dr. Fornah suggests putting the plants close to a window and watering them every day. He says growing up, he harvested the food he wanted to eat, so it’s neat to be able to teach and encourage people to grow vegetables.
“It’s exciting to see that here in the U.S. that kids are excited about plants because it reminded me of where I’m from, from Sierra Leone, and how we used to do it,” Dr. Fornah said. “There’s a lot of research that states that people who eat lots of vegetables stay healthier over longer periods of time. So, the earlier that we can get kids to learn about plants and their benefits, the best for their health long-term.”
This event, which is put on by several groups in the community, including Comanche County Memorial Hospital, shows families different healthy activities and things they can do together.
“I’m excited about the Open Streets event and encouraging kids to plant their own plants,” he said.
Open Streets is Saturday, March 29th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on C avenue from 2nd to 5th street.
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