The small town of Hinton, West Virginia is doing its part for the environment by planting new trees throughout the city. On the morning of April 20, an Arbor Day celebration took place in Ballengee Park that included the ceremonial planting of a tree. The Mayor of Hinton, Jack Scott delivered the Arbor Day Proclamation at the event and Chris Cambell gave the blessing.
A representative from the Department of Natural Resouces (DNR), Andy Sheetz attended the event and provided information in regards to the tree. The city of Hinton took the time to publicly thank Council President Pat Jordan as well as Steve Pack for their continued work to help the city maintain Tree City status. This year marks 21 years of holding that status.
The Tree City program has been operating since 1976 and is a nationwide movement. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the creators of this program, “more than 3,400 communities have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City USA. To achieve and maintain Tree City status, a community must meet “four core standards of sound urban forestry management.” These four standards are celebrating Arbor Day, managing a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance and spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry.
In addition to the tree planted during the ceremony, Ballengee Park is now lined with new trees. Each of these trees will be tended and cared for. The city has also been placing new trees all around the town. Not only is this a way to celebrate Arbor Day, but it also beautifies the town.
Also in attendance and participating in the ceremony were the students of Ms. Hamrick’s Hinton Elementary School first-grade class. Students aided in covering the roots of the newly planted tree with dirt.
Anyone interested in seeing the new trees lining the park can venture into the park where there is also a stunning view of the river.
