Free Trees at 1 pm on Apr. 29
The City of Valparaiso will get even greener on Arbor Day, celebrating the holiday with a free tree seedling giveaway on Apr. 29 at 1 pm. Mayor Jon Costas will kick off the festivities at Butterfly Meadows, 3210 Campbell St. The community will gather on the park’s north side, near the site of the city’s new community garden. About 1,000 tree seedlings will then be available for free pick up, along with planting tips. The trees are being donated by Cargill, Inc and will include sugar maple, and a variety of oak trees – burr oak, red oak, and swamp white oak.
Earlier this month, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the National Arbor Day Foundation recognized Valparaiso as a Tree City USA for its commitment to trees. Valparaiso has been recognized with this designation for the last nine consecutive years and is one of 68 recipients this year. “Valparaiso is a city committed to its environment and its trees,” said Mayor Jon Costas. “We’ll be adding hundreds of new trees this year and these trees will add so much to our community – to our quality of life and property values, plus they prevent erosion, cool the air and make oxygen,” he said. To learn how you can contribute to the city’s Tree Fund and have each of your dollars matched by $8 in grant funds, contact the Valparaiso Park office at 219-462-5144.