DANVILLE, IL (Chambana Today) — In a measure to bring the community closer together and help make residents aware of the importance of trees, the City of Danville will have an Arbor Day Celebration at Liberty Park, 200 E. Liberty Lane on April 24 at 4 p.m. in conjunction with a partnership with the Trees for Danville. A $1 million grant was awarded through the Inflation Reduction Act and the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program.
The grant represents the highest municipal award in Illinois, paving the way for the launch of an innovative program, Community Roots: Danville’s Urban Reforestation and Revitalization Plan. The initiative is designed to enhance tree canopy coverage in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, develop comprehensive maintenance plans, create a detailed tree inventory map, and establish educational programs that highlight the essential role trees play in our community’s well-being.
“The city wants to make this a fun filled event for families as well as a learning experience and an opportunity for people to see the importance of trees and how good they are for our community” said Rheanna Pierce, Community Relations Administrator for the City of Danville. Pierce said there will also be a coloring contest for children during the event. Fifty free trees will be given out to members of the community.
The City of Danville would like to invite families and nature enthusiast to join in the Arbor Day celebration held at Liberty Park to help celebrate this remarkable achievement and the bright future of our Urban Forestry efforts, where attendees will also enjoy a hands-on tree planting demonstration, followed by the planting of new trees throughout Liberty Park. Families and community members of all ages are encouraged to take park in this exciting event. Come out, plant a tree, learn how to care for it and watch it grow as part of Danville’s expanding urban canopy.
This event was originally scheduled at Garfield Park in Danville, but was changed due to construction work near that park. A special thank you goes out to Trees for Danville and the USDA Forest Service for making this vital program possible in Danville.