Neighborhood Leaf-Out Program Shows Residents Importance of Trees

The City of Santa Clarita is encouraging residents of all ages to attend the 18th Annual Arbor Day Celebration at Central Park on Saturday, May 19, 2007.  The event, which will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., is free of charge and serves to educate residents about the benefits of trees as part of the world-recognized Arbor Day holiday. 

Festivities include live entertainment, food, coffee ground garden mulch, tree planting activities, children’s events, a compost workshop and tree pruning demonstration, and tons of environmental exhibitors. 

In honor of the City’s 20th year, the Arbor Day event hosts will raffle two 20” talking Smokey the Bear stuffed animals provided by the U.S. Forest Service, a quilt made by the Santa Clarita Quilt Club, a hand-made wood carving knife, and much more!

This year, the Arbor Day hosts will plant 70 new trees at the park with the volunteers and give away 1,000 free trees and 1,000 bags of free tree mulch to those in attendance, and 20 free garden gourmet bins to the first 20 people that sign up and attend the compost workshops.

Activities for the kids include: a large slide, “moon bounce,” rock wall, face painting, flower potting, crafts, a 65’ Inflatable Obstacle Course, and fingerprinting for kids provided by the Optimist Group.

“The City is dedicated to keeping the Santa Clarita Valley a clean and beautiful place to live. That’s why it’s so important to show residents how important trees are to our community and to give them the knowledge they need to care for their environment,” commented City Arborist Robert Sartain.Environmental Groups participating at this year’s Arbor Day include: Southern California Edison’s Vegetation Department, The Energy Coalition, Castaic Water Agency, Placerita Canyon Nature Center, L.A. County Forestry and Fire, U.S. Forest Service, L.A. Sheriff Department, Optimist Group, Friends of the Santa Clara River and The National Wildlife Federation, Audubon Society, Bio Contactors, and the L.A. County Gardening Program.

City Groups participating include: The Santa Clarita Quilt Club, Santa Clarita Woodcarvers Society, the City’s Urban Forestry Division, Transit Department, the Parks Maintenance Division and Environmental Services Departments.

The Annual Arbor Day Celebration is put on by the City’s Neighborhood Leaf Out Program, which is part of the City’s Urban Forestry Division.

Central Park is located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road.

For more information about the 2007 Arbor Day Celebration or about the Neighborhood Leaf Out Program, please contact the City at (661) 294-2567.