How grant helps tree-planting program

A celebration to recognize funding support from CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up and America in Bloom for West Chicago's 2019 Parkway Tree Planting Program, will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday as part of the Blooming Fest opening ceremonies on Main Street.

The grant awards a community up to $25,000 in matching funds to support projects that enhance landscapes and increase environmental stewardship in communities neighboring CN rail lines.

Bill Hahn of America in Bloom and Larry Lloyd of CN will address the community and be available throughout the day to share information about their programs and the importance of elevating the quality of life in cities, villages and townships through landscape efforts.

"Blooming Fest is the perfect venue in which to recognize the generosity of these two fine organizations to our community and to bring their message of the importance of collaborative community greening to the public," said Mayor Ruben Pineda, who will speak at the opening ceremony.

The 2019 Parkway Tree Planting Program, which adds beauty and value to neighborhoods throughout the city, began last week after a delay caused by inclement weather.

The program supports long-term community greening through the replacement of trees lost through storms or disease, and the addition of trees on parkways at the request of residents, where appropriate.

Roughly 200 new trees will be planted this year in many varieties, including English oak, red oak, pin oak, hackberry, tulip, skyline honey locust, frontier elm, stately manor Kentucky coffee, shantung maple and ivory silk lilac.