A sunny, warm spring afternoon was a perfect backdrop for the City of Lakeland to celebrate Arbor Day at City Hall Park today (4.26.19).
Kevin Rooney, director of the City Parks and Recreation Department, along with Wendi Haley, recreation program supervisor, were joined by Parks and Rec Advisory Board member André Nolan to pass out hundreds of tree saplings and Urban Forest activity books for children.
The event demonstrated Lakeland’s designation as an Official Tree City USA community, said Mr. Rooney. It is the 13th year for the designation for Lakeland.
On hand for the reading of a proclamation were Mayor Mike Cunningham and Commissioner Richard Gonzales Jr. with City Manager Shane Horn and Shawn Posey from the Tennessee State Forestry Service.
Three hundred saplings were available to local residents courtesy of the Tennessee Division of Forestry. The saplings included 100 Indigobushs, 100 Shumard Oaks and 100 Sugarberrys, said Mr. Rooney. “Individuals are expected to plant these trees around Lakeland to help perpetuate our reputation for natural scenic beauty and caring for the environment.”
