By WKTV Staff
The City of Kentwood will once again honor Arbor Day with a tree planting and celebration, which will include a free tree seedling giveaway.
Residents of all ages are invited to join Kentwood’s Arbor Day Celebration at noon Friday, April 28 at Kellogg Woods Park, 275 Kellogg Woods Park Drive SE. The event will begin at noon with an Arbor Day proclamation, followed by a tree planting and guided tree identification walk in the park. Complimentary refreshments also will be provided.
Arbor Day is an annual observance held each spring to recognize the impact of trees in the community and encourage tree planting.
“Healthy tree populations provide not just beauty to our city, but create a cleaner environment for us all,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “Our Arbor Day Celebration allows us to connect with community members and work together to improve and maintain our city’s tree canopy for the enjoyment and benefit now and for future generations.”
Residents can pick up free red maple, red cedar or white pine tree seedlings at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE ahead of the celebration. The seedlings will be available during business hours Tuesday, April 25 through Friday, April 28 while supplies last.
Community members can check on tree seedling availability by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 616-656-5270. The Kentwood Activities Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
Residents are invited to share a photo of their planted seedling on social media using the hashtag #GreeningKentwood. More information about Kentwood’s Arbor Day Celebration can be found at kentwood.us/ArborDay.
Railtown Brewing Company, 3595 68th St. SE, held a fundraiser through March where a portion of the proceeds from every Bike Ride Blonde ale purchased went towards supporting the planting of trees in Kentwood for Arbor Day.
For community members who are looking for more ways to get involved beyond Arbor Day are invited to join the Kentwood Park Stewards, an environmentally focused program that helps preserve and maintain neighborhood parks, trails and public spaces. More information about the program is available at kentwood.us/ParkStewards.
