Arbor Day in Plainfield has become a time to bring community members, young and old, together to celebrate the beauty and usefulness of trees. It has also become a day to honor hometown heroes by planting trees in their memory.(Click on links below to see blog posts.)
In April, the 2010 Arbor Day observance was dedicated to those who served their country. Two Kwanzan Cherry trees were planted at the Woodland Avenue veterans’ monument. The first tree was planted in memory of all men and women who served in the military and made the ultimate sacrifice, and the second was planted in honor of all who have served in the past or are currently serving in the military.
In 2009, the late Charles E. Billups was honored for his leadership as president of the East Sixth Street Block Association. Mr. Billups tirelessly sought to improve the quality of life of his neighbors, organizing efforts to fight crime and improve traffic conditions. He took their concerns to elected officials and achieved many positive results.
Similarly, John W. Hayes founded the Rushmore Avenue Block Association and served the group for over 35 years. A small neighborhood park was created and dedicated to his memory on Arbor Day 2006.
These are examples of the annual celebration that was begun by the Ten Cities Tree Committee and continues under the sponsorship of the Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. Each year, the commission highlights a specimen tree and an historic tree as special elements of the city’s urban forest.
The commission also works year round, meeting monthly in City Hall to designate appropriate trees for new plantings on city streets and to address other tree-related issues. Members take part in ongoing education on how to maintain tree stock and increase environmental benefits to neighborhoods through grant-funded programs such as Cool Cities.
Residents who are interested in trees and what they add to the city milieu are welcome to apply for vacancies on the commission. One five-year term, one unexpired two-year term and one five-year alternate’s term are open as of January 2011. Application forms can be downloaded from the city web site at www.plainfield.com under Information/Downloads. Copies should be filled out and submitted to the City Clerk and to the mayor’s office, with another kept for the applicant’s records.
Service on the Shade Tree Commission has many rewards. The excitement of youngsters on Arbor Day, the enduring memorials to dedicated community members and the legacy created with new plantings are among them.
In April, the 2010 Arbor Day observance was dedicated to those who served their country. Two Kwanzan Cherry trees were planted at the Woodland Avenue veterans’ monument. The first tree was planted in memory of all men and women who served in the military and made the ultimate sacrifice, and the second was planted in honor of all who have served in the past or are currently serving in the military.
In 2009, the late Charles E. Billups was honored for his leadership as president of the East Sixth Street Block Association. Mr. Billups tirelessly sought to improve the quality of life of his neighbors, organizing efforts to fight crime and improve traffic conditions. He took their concerns to elected officials and achieved many positive results.
Similarly, John W. Hayes founded the Rushmore Avenue Block Association and served the group for over 35 years. A small neighborhood park was created and dedicated to his memory on Arbor Day 2006.
These are examples of the annual celebration that was begun by the Ten Cities Tree Committee and continues under the sponsorship of the Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. Each year, the commission highlights a specimen tree and an historic tree as special elements of the city’s urban forest.
The commission also works year round, meeting monthly in City Hall to designate appropriate trees for new plantings on city streets and to address other tree-related issues. Members take part in ongoing education on how to maintain tree stock and increase environmental benefits to neighborhoods through grant-funded programs such as Cool Cities.
Residents who are interested in trees and what they add to the city milieu are welcome to apply for vacancies on the commission. One five-year term, one unexpired two-year term and one five-year alternate’s term are open as of January 2011. Application forms can be downloaded from the city web site at www.plainfield.com under Information/Downloads. Copies should be filled out and submitted to the City Clerk and to the mayor’s office, with another kept for the applicant’s records.
Service on the Shade Tree Commission has many rewards. The excitement of youngsters on Arbor Day, the enduring memorials to dedicated community members and the legacy created with new plantings are among them.
(Note: I have served four years on the Shade Tree Commission.)
--Bernice Paglia
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