Butterfly Playground Dedicated at the Earthlab

Epsilon Xi Omega, the San Diego graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and the EXO Foundation dedicated a playground learning station at Earthlab in the Diamond neighborhood of Encanto on May 5.

Nearly 100 community area residents, AKA members, Groundwork members and UCSD students participated in the dedication.

A butterfly crawl through was installed with the assistance of several donors including the Office of U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas, D-CA 51, and The Barona Band of Mission Indians.  The crawl-through is primarily intended for younger children and is surrounded by banners from Groundwork San Diego, which vividly describe the plight of the butterfly and its various species. 

The site also includes a marker installed on a rock near the playground equipment.

Earthlab is a four-acre plot of land that houses experiential learning, research and teaching conducted in collaboration with local non-profits. It is a partnership between Groundwork San Diego, the University of California, San Diego and the San Diego Unified School District and is designated as a UCSD community station.

Horton Elementary School and other nearby SDUSD schools participate in numerous activities at Earthlab.

Epsilon Xi Omega has served the San Diego community since 1949. Its programs include an annual leadership development program for young African-American women and providing scholarships for college-bound students. Dr. Donna L. Cook currently serves as the chapter’s president.