The long-awaited dedication ceremony for the Southwest Nature Preserve has officially been set. The preserve will be publicly dedicated on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at a time soon to be determined.

A number of events are planned for the dedication including park tours, fishing, geocaching demonstrations as well as free food. Hot dogs, chips and refreshments will be available to all in attendance.

The nature preserve has been open to the public for a number of years but it was virtually undeveloped with rudimentary trails and no parking. Improvements to the park include a boardwalk into a pond for fishing, small amphitheater for educational programming, new parking accommodations, and picnic areas. The preserve's gates are currently open from 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., at 5201 Bowman Springs Road. Activities such as camping, camp fires, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, swimming, and boating are all prohibited.

For more information about the Southwest Nature Preserve, or any city park, check out the department's new website park finder page at http://naturallyfun.org/parks/finder.