Schaumburg parks make Earth Hour easy to honor

A great way to conserve the energy used by electric lights is for as many people as possible to share the same ones.

In honor of Earth Hour, the Schaumburg Park District will offer free use of its Meineke Recreation Center and Community Recreation Center to park district residents from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Earth Hour will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. the same night. It's the World Wildlife Fund's annual event which asks households and businesses to turn off their nonessential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness of the need for action on climate change.

"With lights and electricity off at your house, the park district is opening its doors," said Vince Kennedy, superintendent of parks and recreation. "We encourage families to use the gym, track and weight rooms."

The Meineke Recreation Center is at 220 E. Weathersfield Way in Schaumburg, and the Community Recreation Center is at 505 N. Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg.

For information on Earth Hour, visit earthhour.org.