April 12, 2001 – Salt Lake City's first urban treehouse will soon keep students, teachers, and the community "rooted" in environmental education.

The Herbert I. and Elsa B. Michael Urban TreeHouse, an outdoor classroom designed by community partners, will be dedicated on Saturday, April 21, at 11:30 a.m. at the Lowell Bennion Community Serivce Center's Bend-in-the-River, 1030 West Fremont Ave. (1120 South).

The public is invited to attend the dedication, which will be followed by the Community Earth Day Celebration that features live music, food, games, and family activities lasting until 2 p.m.

Irene Fisher, founding director of the Bennion Center, an official from the Salt Lake City mayor's office, and a representative from Parkview Elementary School will take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the community collaboration that has built the innovative Herbert I. and Elsa B. Michael Urban TreeHouse.

"The completion of the urban treehouse signifies the shared work of two-and-one half years among community partners. As an outdoor classroom, it will provide a much-needed space in which to enjoy and learn about nature," says Fisher, who is stepping down from her Bennion Center post in May.

The treehouse is just one of many contributions she has made to the university and to the community in the last 13 years as director of the student volunteer organization.

Bend-in-the-River, the two-acre plot of land surrounding the urban treehouse, endeavors to be a foundation for cooperative efforts for neighborhood families and children.

In the last two years, the University of Utah Bennion Center, community volunteers, students from area elementary schools and nearly 30 community partners have helped to enrich Bend-in-the-River by creating a natural environment for learning about nature.

The Community Earth Day Celebration will take place at Bend-in-the-River and the nearby Jordan Park from 11 to 2 p.m. Booths hosted by volunteers, businesses, and non-profit organizations will provide refreshments, activities, and community information. Festival goers can test their outdoor skills at the climbing wall sponsored by WOW, or join in an old-fashioned bean bag toss. Admission is free.

The addition of the urban treehouse to Bend-in-the-River was made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Herbert I. and Elsa B. Michael Foundation.

The structure was designed by Fred Fife of Fife Engineering - along with Parkview Elementary School students, U of U students, and others - and was built by Ashco-Kehl Construction.