Guests took home free oak tree saplings, milkweed and native wildflower seeds to support stormwater management and the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly and other pollinators.

Villar delivered a compelling keynote that intertwined his family’s immigrant journey, a legacy of labor activism and the enduring power of cross‑racial solidarity in the American labor movement.

This year’s theme is “Water Connects Us, Pride Unites Us.”

Guests of all ages may take an abbreviated tour of the plant, meet with MWRD staff for interactive activities and take home free oak tree saplings, milkweed and native wildflower seeds.

The improvements, including a ramp, a retaining wall and a few braille signs, allowed dozens of area residents to access the park for the first time.

The SEPA station aerates water to support aquatic life and enhances water quality in the Calumet-Sag Channel, while offering a scenic gathering place along the waterway.