Medfield Celebrates Arbor Day A New & Community Focused Way!

Medfield Celebrates Arbor Day A New & Community Focused Way!

Traditionally, Medfield has marked Arbor Day with a ceremonial tree planting involving the Department of Public Works and Medfield town officials. In recent years, celebrations included plantings at Vine Lake Cemetery and Metacomet Park. This year, however, the Town Administrator’s Office partnered with Lovell's Nursery for a different approach.

Lovell’s Nursery donated 50 trees, representing three different species, to be given to 50 residents through a lottery system, hence creating 50 new Arbor Day tree plantings throughout Medfield in 2026. Sixty-five residents entered the lottery, with 50 selected to receive a tree. Restrictions included one tree per address, a requirement that trees not be planted within 20 feet of the public right-of-way, and that recipients contact Dig Safe before planting.

The Town’s official Arbor Day celebration took place Thursday, April 24, at the home of Doug and Kristine Brainerd on High Street, joined by their dog, Ashes. The Brainerds selected a Red Maple, which they planted in their backyard prior to the ceremony.

Attending the celebration were Select Board Chairman Pete Peterson and Select Board member Eileen Murphy. Also present were Director of Public Works Maurice Goulet, Highway Operations Manager Bobby Kennedy Jr., DPW Highway Supervisor Joe Gorman, and DPW Fleet Supervisor Kevin Chabot.

In addition, Assistant to the Town Administrator Kamryn Smith presented the Arbor Day proclamation for Select Board Chairman Pete Peterson to read. The proclamation is expected to be formally signed at the May 12 Select Board meeting.