Reforest the Bluegrass is back in full force for the first time in four years. The City of Lexington’s annual tree planting event will take place on April 15 at Hisle Park, 3551 Briar Hill Road. Over the past two decades, more than 200,000 trees have been planted by 17,500 volunteers. The City hopes to add another 5,000 trees with this year’s planting.
Volunteers of all ages are invited to come out between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to plant tree seedlings. Volunteers will receive free lunch and a t-shirt and are invited to visit exhibitor booths for activities about trees, water quality and other environmental topics. Preregistration is not required.
“We are very excited to invite the community to plant seedlings with us at Reforest the Bluegrass this year,” says Heather Wilson, Program Manager Sr. for Urban Forestry. “We’re finally returning to normal with lunch and music for our volunteers, and we are excited to be back at Hisle. Not only is this our fourth planting here, but this park is also home to our City’s tree nursery. It’s a great testament to how much our Urban Forestry Program has grown over the last decade.”
The Reforest at Home program will continue for its fourth year. On April 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fayette county residents will have the chance to pick up free trees at one of three pick-up locations, located at Castlewood Park, 209 Castlewood Drive; Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens Boonesboro Road; and Waverly Park, 4244 Southmoor Park. Large shade tree seedlings and small flowering tree seedlings will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Households are limited to five trees total and no more than two small flowering trees.
For more information about Reforest the Bluegrass and Reforest at Home, visit lexingtonky.gov/Reforest.
