The City of Grand Junction Parks & Recreation Department is excited to celebrate Arbor Day by hosting the 19th annual Southwest Arbor Day Festival this Saturday, April 23. Arbor Day activities will kick off at 9 a.m. with two elements: the popular free tree seedling distribution and a sign-up opportunity for the new “Root for Your Ash” treatment program.
Tree seedling distribution will begin at 9 a.m. outside of the Lincoln Park Moyer Pool while supplies last. The Root for Your Ash program is new this year to support the treatment of ash trees on private property. Ash trees are the most common type of tree in Grand Junction and this program aims to protect them from devastating pests. The City will provide up to $500 of support for the treatment of private ash trees. Residents can sign up for the program starting this Saturday at 9 a.m. at Lincoln Park.
The Southwest Arbor Festival begins at 12 p.m. at Lincoln Park and will include Colorado Craft Brew tasting, food trucks, arts and craft booths, live music, the popular touch-a-truck, a raffle for a free tree, a guided tree tour around the Lincoln Park arboretum and artisan booths, and more.
Another way the community has celebrated Arbor Day is the distribution of 444 tree seedlings to 226 City of Grand Junction residents. The City Council appointed volunteer Forestry Board, along with volunteer Master Gardeners from Colorado State University extension, assembled these seedlings and are delivering them this week to those who signed up.
The City’s Urban Tree Canopy is critical to the quality of life in Grand Junction, not only as an essential component of the environmental health of the community, but by providing the shade and beauty that we all enjoy every day.
The City encourages all to attend the festivities at Lincoln Park this Saturday to celebrate this valuable community asset.
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Contact: Isabella Vaz, Communications Specialist 970-244-1503 or isabellav@gjcity.org