Palos Park Celebrates 'The Wonder of Trees' Sunday At The Center

PALOS PARK, IL — Palos Park is gearing up to celebrate “The Wonder of Trees” this Sunday, May 7. The Arbor Day celebration starts at noon, in The Lodge at The Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, and features raffles, a poster contest and free seedlings.

Trinity Pierce, a certified arborist and the stewardship manager of the Chicago Regional Trees Initiative, will be the featured presenter. Piece collaborates with communities to foster awareness of the importance and benefits of trees. Following the presentation, Pierce will lead attendees on a guided walk around the grounds.

Each attendee will receive a raffle ticket to win door prizes at the end of the celebration. Attendees can also take home free saw tooth oak, spice bush, redwood and pink smoke tree seedling.

Winners of the Arbor Day poster contest will also be announced. Kids ages 4 through 12 are invited to enter the Arbor Day poster contest. Posters should be on 11 X 17 poster paper. Colored pencils, crayons and markers may be used. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at the Kaptur Administration Center, 8999 W. 123rd St., Palos Park.

All entries will be displayed at The Center. Prizes of $25 will be awarded to 4 to 5, 6 to 7, 8 to 9 and 10 to 12 age groups.

Arbor Day is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees. The first American Arbor Day was originated by J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska City, Nebraska, at an annual meeting of the Nebraska State board of agriculture held in Lincoln. On April 10, 1872, an estimated one million trees were planted in Nebraska.