Swifts And Fresh Salads in Theo Wirth Park

The JD Rivers' Children's Garden in is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its swift chimney on Wednesday.

A swift is a "fast-flying bird that is readily identified by its characteristic 'flying cigar' profile," according to Audubon Minnesota. Their populations have declined by more than 50 percent in the last 40 years.

The Minnesota Park & Recreation Board, Audubon Minnesota and the Bryn Mawr neighborhood created a tower for the swifts and a pair moved in this spring, according to the MPRB.

From 6 p.m. until dusk Wednesday, families and gardeners will gather fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables in the Children's Garden and then make fresh salads.

At dusk, the MPRB will host a showing of "On the wing: The swifts of Chapman School." It is a documentary about a flock of swifts that made a home in a chimney of a Portland, OR, school.

"The city responded by turning the swift spectacle into a cult phenomenon and a wonderful example of how we can all live in harmony with nature," according to a news release from the MPRB.

There is no cost for the food or a movie. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

For more information, contact MaryLynn Pulscher, environmental education coordinator, at 612-313-7784 or mpulscher@minneapolisparks.org.