Palatine Celebrates Arbor Day

The Palatine Park District and the Village of Palatine conducted a ceremony on Friday, April 26th to celebrate Arbor Day. This year, the Arbor Day ceremony was held at Doug Lindberg Park in Palatine. The Palatine Park District and the Village of Palatine planted a white fir tree at the park which will become a lasting memorial for the village. Staff members from the park district and village were joined by members of the Palatine Beautification Commission. Mrs. Angelaccio and Mrs. Franz, both teachers at Lake Louise School in Palatine, brought their students to the ceremony, and Palatine Park District’s Maple Park four year old preschool class also joined the group. 

Palatine Park District's Assistant Superintendent of Parks, Ed Tynczuk, welcomed the community to the event, and introduced Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz. Mayor Schwantz informed the crowd that Palatine has been recertified as a Tree City USA. This recertification process has four required standards:

1. The city must have a tree board or department. In Palatine, this is fulfilled by the Forestry Division of Palatine, the Palatine Park District Parks Department, and the Palatine Beautification Commission.
2. The city must have a tree ordinance. This standard was accomplished in 1979 through resolution R-4-79.
3. The community must have a forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita. This standard was met by both the Village of Palatine and the Palatine Park District.
4. The city must conduct an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. This standard is met through an annual ceremony.

Lake Louise 4th grader, Adam Monnette, read his poem entitled “Earth.”

Earth

Big, unique

Peaceful, helpful,

Beneficial

Keeping the earth clean

Earth.

Mayor Schwantz chose two volunteers from a very eager group to help plant the tree. Lake Louise 4th grade student Jordan Bolber and Maple Park preschooler RJ Seifert were selected to help Mayor Schwantz throw the ceremonial dirt onto the newly planted White Fir tree at the park.  After the ceremony, Palatine Park District, this year’s host, provided refreshments for the crowd.

The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and affordable parks and recreation facilities and activities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors of the Palatine Park District. 

Local Voices contributor Joan Scovic is the Marketing & Sponsorship Coordinator for Palatine Park District.

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