This Sunday you could be part of something big and unforgettable. Clark Park is hosting the “Picnic for the Planet” – an Earth Day celebration and an attempt to set a Guinness record for the world’s largest picnic. Clark Park folks will be recording the number of participants and completing required paperwork. This is a nationwide record attempt – simultaneously, picnics like this one will be held in various locations in North America.

Sounds cool, right? So come to Clark Park from Noon until 4 p.m. (record attempt begins at 12:30). Don’t forget to bring your family, blanket and favorite picnic food and enjoy your day in the park. Elevation Burger will provide food for the first 100 participants.

 
Clark Park at about 4 p.m. yesterday looked and sounded as usual. Kids playing after school; their parents nearby chatting. People walking their dogs or reading the paper. Then things changed for a few minutes when a large red-tailed hawk swooped down, grabbed a squirrel and perched about 20 feet off the ground near the older kids’ playground. The hawk sat on a branch with the squirrel dangling from its talons as people gathered underneath the tree to get a better look – the parents of younger children looking a little nervous. The hawk, one of many that call Philadelphia home, lingered for 20 minutes or so before taking his dinner to a more secluded location.

The Clark Park Farmers’ Market (43rd & Baltimore) has a nice selection of pumpkins today if anyone still needs one. But hurry up, it closes at 2 p.m.

The Friends of Clark Park will hold a membership meeting tonight to elect new board members and update the community on future plans and events at the park. The meeting will be held at Griffith Hall at the University of the Sciences (near the intersection of 43rd Street and Woodland Avenue) at 7 p.m.

Curio Theatre Company has announced that its 2011-2012 season will include a free performance of “Lord of the Flies” in Clark Park, Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five” and Dario Fo’s “Accidental Death of an Anarchist.”

The company has announced that discounted ticket packages are available for the upcoming season that amounts to a free ticket to one of four productions.

Curio’s season kicks off on September 2 with a special staging of Nigel Williams’ adaptation of “Lord of the Flies” in Clark Park as part of the Philly Fringe Live Arts Festival. The run also includes performances on Sept. 3, 7, 8 and 9 that are free and open to the public.

Its regular schedule includes:

• “Eurydice” – Oct. 12 through Nov. 12

• “Accidental Death of an Anarchist” – Dec. 7 through Jan. 7

• “Slaughterhouse-Five” – Feb 2 through March 3

• “The Tempest” – April 19 through May 19.

Click here for more information or to buy season tickets.

We came across this brilliant short music video (a little over three minutes) starring our beloved Clark Park and you all and we had to get it on the site. Thanks to filmmaker Joshua Wann (aka Esso) for letting us post it. Check out more of his stuff at shotbyesso.tumblr.com. Enjoy.

A Day at Clark Park from shot by esso™ on Vimeo.