Mount Prospect does Arbor Day up right on April 24
The village of Mount Prospect Public Works Department will host an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, April 24. The ceremony will be held at Robert Frost Elementary School, 1308 S. Cypress Drive, Mount Prospect. The public is invited to watch the tree be planted in the parkway near the intersection of Frost Drive and Circle Drive.
"Planting a tree is a great way to celebrate Arbor Day," said Dave Hull, Mount Prospect's Forestry/Grounds superintendent. Hull wants to remind residents that trees provide communities with numerous benefits such as the ability to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, provide food, medicines, shade, filter pollution, slow stormwater runoff, reduce energy costs and much more.
During the ceremony, Mayor Arlene A. Juracek, various village officials, and students and staff from Robert Frost Elementary will plant an oak tree in the parkway. The students will perform songs and share poems to commemorate the occasion. Members of the Garden Club of Mount Prospect will also help with the planting; the garden club has contributed funds to help the village purchase the Arbor Day tree. Additionally P.W. Paws, the Public Works mascot, will make a special appearance.
The village will also commemorate its recent recognition of the Tree City USA Award and Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation. This is the 30th consecutive year that Mount Prospect has received the TCU award and the 13th year for the Growth Award on behalf of the village's urban forestry program.
"I hope our citizens will join us this year in planting trees throughout the community helping to perpetuate Mount Prospect's urban forest," said Hull.
In support of this effort, Public Works' staff is available to send, upon request, the latest information about diversified tree species that are appropriate for planting in the Mount Prospect area. Residents are encouraged to contact Public Works at (847) 870-5640 to learn more.
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