This is and has always been one of my favorite attributes of Harrisburg and I am glad to see we are still at the top of our game.
NEWS INFORMATION FROM THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
28 April 2006
HARRISBURG NAMED TREE CITY USA FOR 19TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR; CITY ALSO RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS “GROWTH AWARD” FOR 3RD YEAR IN A ROW
Mayor Stephen R. Reed and Michael B. Lester, Assistant State Forester in the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry, helped mark the city’s 19th consecutive annual designation as a Tree City USA by planting 19 trees at parks and playgrounds around the city. The city also received the National Arbor Day Foundation’s prestigious “Growth Award” for the 3rd consecutive year, in recognition of its ongoing tree management program.
Reed said the city has undertaken extensive tree planting efforts over the years, including one project last year when more than 120 new trees were planted, many by volunteer employees of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, largely to replace dead or dying trees citywide. Trees are also routinely planted as part of parks improve- ment, economic development and transportation projects.
Reed said with the 150th Anniversary of Harrisburg’s changeover from a borough to a city occurring in 2010, one of the sesquicentennial projects to be undertaken over the next several years will be the planting of at least 2000 trees, to be completed in 2010 as a legacy project commemorating the occasion.
Additionally, the Mayor announced, the city is now receiving a $10,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council and the U.S. Forest Service, as part of the America the Beautiful Program, and will be used for tree maintenance training and planting additional trees.
The Mayor said some of this year’s plantings will occur at 6 different city parks and playgrounds, including the 19th & Forster Street and Gorgas playgrounds, City Island, and Riverfront, Reservoir and Italian Lake Parks. Italian Lake was selected for today’s Arbor Day celebration because other upgrades are also planned for the bucolic uptown respite, which hosts thousands of visitors each year, including for the free Sunday evening concerts held each Summer.
Reed said the plantings around the city, being conducted by the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, include: 19th & Forster Sts Playgound – 2 Little Leaf Lindens; City Island - 2 Red Sunset Maples; Reservoir Park - 2 Okame Cherries, 2 Crimson King Maples and an October Glory Maple; Riverfront Park – 3 Autumn Purple Ashes; Gorgas Playground – 3 Okame Cherries and 2 Cleveland Pears; and at Italian Lake - 2 Japanese ‘Ivory Silk’ Lilacs.
In presenting the two awards to the city, Odato noted that in order to receive the honors, the city must meet multiple national standards and be formally nominated by the state Forester’s office. Considered the highest national honor for community conservation and environmental practices, Harrisburg’s nineteenth annual award leads all communities in the tri-county area for consecutive recognitions.
The Mayor also announced that the National Arbor Day Foundation has bestowed its prestigious “Growth Award’ upon Harrisburg for the third consecutive year for its longstanding tree management and maintenance efforts. Harrisburg was the first midstate community to ever receive the award three years ago, and is the only city to be so designated for three consecutive years.
The Mayor noted that the city has invested nearly $70 million in parks, playgrounds and open spaces as part of the Mayor’s Parks Improvement Program, with substantial additional investment yet planned.
Reed noted that the city also maintains a professionally trained and certified shade tree maintenance staff, which is a unit within the Department of Parks and Recreation. The city also has an actively-enforced shade tree ordinance that helps to protect, promote and preserve trees.
“Trees cool our streets and buildings, reduce airborne pollution, conserve energy, give off oxygen, beautify open space and give wildlife a home. Their presence enhances and increases property value and beauty,” Reed said. “Lasting for generations, they are literally a connection to our past, and they are a part of the legacy which we shall leave for future residents and visitors.”
The Tree City USA Program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s National Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.