Fifth graders help Arlington Heights celebrate Arbor Day

Arlington Heights was among the suburbs celebrating Arbor Day Friday with a ceremonial tree planting.

The event at Raven Park, 2913 N. Mitchell Ave., included a performance by the fifth-grade student chorus from Edgar Allan Poe Elementary School and recognition of winners of a tree drawing contest.

"There is a lot that goes into establishing the quality of life in Arlington Heights, and one of the things we take for granted is our greenery, and our landscaping, and all of the beautiful trees," said Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes, one of several dignitaries that spoke at the event.

"Seeing everybody here, and the fifth-grade class from Poe, is a good example of how this community is vested in Arbor Day, and getting the kids outside and being active," said Benjamin Rea, Arlington Heights Park District director of parks and planning.

The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872. It was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraska journalist and politician. Morton worked to improve agricultural techniques, but his most important legacy is Arbor Day.