Arbor Day: Planting a Seed

The Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation hosted an Arbor Day program at the Ridgeview Park on April 27, 2007 for the first graders at Westwood Hills Elementary, and again on April 30 for the MOMS Club of Augusta County. The first grade class, about eighty students in all, came out for the afternoon to learn a bit about trees, their function and their contributions. In order to keep the kids excited with a variety of activities, Park and Recreation enlisted the help of the Department of Forestry and a local tree company, Williams Brothers' Lawn and Tree Service. The day could not have been better the students, teachers, and other onlookers al enjoyed themselves and walked away knowing a little bit more about trees.

The day began with a proclamation read by Mayor Thomas W. Reynolds followed by the planting of the Arbor Day Tree. A beautiful Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), generously donated by the Wenonoah Garden Club, was planted near the pavilion. During the planting, the general characteristics of this tree species were discussed hinting at the "right tree, right location" concept. Kids interacted with Parks and Recreation staff by helping shovel dirt into the hole and answering general questions about tree structure and the functions of its parts.

For the rest of the afternoon the students were divided up into four groups to rotate between 20 minute programs led Parks and Recreation, Department of Forestry, and Williams Brothers' Tree and Lawn Service. The Williams Brothers' brought their tree climbing gear and showed the little ones how they do it how they do it safely. There was much ooh-ing and ah-ing as the 60 foot oak was ascended and some smaller limbs were removed. Patti Nylander with The Department of Forestry discussed proper planting techniques and the benefits of trees in our lives. Students got to take home their very own evergreen sapling. Parks and Recreation had the most fun of all with the kids making Sticky Pinecone Birdfeeders. Kids got messy as they learned about how birds and other animals rely on trees for food and shelter. This year they also added bluebird nesting boxes to the park, handmade by Stephen Black and colorfully decorated by the kids.


Later in the week, Dwayne Jones gave a talk to the MOMS Club of Augusta County and their children, a group of about fifteen. They also contributed to the park's flora by planting a "Legacy" Sugar Maple (Acersaccharum "Legacy"), donated by the Waynesboro Women's Club, on the opposite side of hte pavilion. The kids proved their enthusiasm by bringing their own "pint sized" shovels and pails to help out. Many hands make light work! This event wrapped up a truly successful Arbor Day celebration for the City of Waynesboro and helped instill a love of trees in our next generation.  

Arbor Day: April 25, 2008, in Ridgeview Park