Alpharetta celebrates Arbor Day at Wills Park

Arbor Day comes to Alpharetta Saturday, Feb. 21, and the city will hold its 19th celebration at Wills Park this year.

This nationally celebrated holiday encourages tree planting and care through educational programs. The festivities will be held off of Old Milton Parkway in the pavilion behind Mansell House starting at 10 a.m. and last until 2 p.m..

As with last year, the ongoing drought has shifted the focus from planting trees to an event filled with educational activities for the entire family. Earth Friendly games, a Victorian scavenger hunt called Letterboxes and an interactive puppet show will be part of the scheduled children events. In addition, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will have badge earning opportunities including Brownie Try It points.

Workshops will be held on tree planting, how to make a rain barrel and water conservation. Informative guided tours of the new Alpharetta Arboretum at Wills Park will also be available.

One ceremonial tree will be planted in Wills Park in keeping with Arbor Day tradition. The planting and recognition ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m.

During the ceremonies the winners of the annual Arbor Day Art Contest will be announced. The contest, which drew 130 entrants this year, was open to children from first through eighth grade who drew their interpretation of the importance of Arbor Day.

The event is a project of the Alpharetta Tree Commission and is being coordinated by commissioners Becky Beal, David Cox and David Flannery.

Volunteer supporters include the Alpharetta Garden Club, Alpharetta, High School Key Club, Amana Academy, Milton High School Environment Club and St. Aiden's EYC.

For more information, contact City Arborist Nancy Beckemeyer at 678-297-6000.

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