The sounds of birds chirping and children laughing filled the air at Morningside Nature Center on Saturday, as visitors, vendors and employees interacted.
But the park was nearly absent of one thing — cell phones.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the park held an event called Gainesville Unplugged through the city of Gainesville’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department. The event was meant to get people connected with nature and with the community, according to recreation leader Allison Bordini. It also encouraged visitors to stay off of their phones and be present in nature. It was free to the public, with the exception of a walking tour which cost $5 per person…