Arbor Day activities planned throughout Pittsburg
area
April 30,2004
Local residents will hold a number of events today in celebration of Arbor
Day.
Beginning at 10 a.m., community members and volunteers will be planting
trees from one end of Franklin's Broadway to the other. Overseeing the planting
will be Tim McDonnell, Haysville, Kansas Forest Service district community
forester.
The community's trees have suffered from two natural disasters in recent
years. Franklin lost a good portion of its tree canopy during the January
2002 ice storm and then additional trees during the catastrophic May 4, 2003,
tornado.
Residents will be planting between 100 and 200 redbud and oak trees along
both sides of Broadway.
A command post will be set up at Fifth and Broadway, the site of the old
Franklin Community Center, which was destroyed by the tornado. All wishing
to help with the project should report there by 10 a.m. Refreshments will
be served to volunteers at 11 a.m.
The Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department will host an Arbor Day celebration
from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. today at Lincoln Park.
There will be discussions about trees, a tree-planting ceremony and the
dedication of a tree. There will also be awards given to area third-grade
classes that have been participating in an Arbor Day art and essay contest.
The celebration will be open to the entire community. Anyone wishing additional
information may call the Parks and Recreation Department office at 231-8310.
Finally, Crawford County Commissioners will be planting a tree on the
county courthouse lawn at Girard in celebration of Arbor Day at 11 a.m.
today, just after the commission meeting.