The City of Dodge City Parks and Facilities Department will host tree-planting services to recognize Arbor Day on Friday, April 30. Tree plantings will be conducted at Beeson Arboretum Park, Centennial Park, and Arrowhead West's North Facility at St Mary's.
Arbor Day tree plantings will begin at Beeson Arboretum Park at 9 am on the park's west side near the play equipment. Staff will be planting Crimson Sunset Maple and an Oregon Trail Maple. The trees planted in this park provide examples to the public that typically grow well in our zone 6 growing zone. All tree varieties have a plaque that shows their common name for identification.
At 11:30 am, the staff will be planting a dedication tree at Centennial Park (Central Ave. & La Mesa Drive) in honor of Alan Cunningham and his family to celebrate his career and many contributions to our community over the years. The tree, a Chinkapin Oak, will be planted west of the water tower.
At 2 pm, a memorial tree planting will take place at the North Arrowhead West facility. This tree will be planted on the east side of the property to remember and honor all clients of Arrowhead West that have passed in the last year.
Arbor Day is a national celebration sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation to promote the planting and care of trees. Each year the Foundation recognizes communities who have made tangible efforts in tree planting and care as a "Tree City USA" member. Dodge City has been a Tree City USA community since 1976, a member for 45 years. We are one of 16 communities in the country that have been part of the organization since its inception.
Forestry staff has started their spring tree plantings by planting trees in Kiwanis, Thurow and Ford Parks. The majority of the trees are being planted along the perimeter of the park spaces and the center section of the walking trail at Thurow Park.
