GENTRY — Though tree planting was delayed numerous times due to wet weather, four new red maple trees were planted in Gentry City Park, a planned Arbor Day observance was held and a Tree City proclamation was read on May 17, officially making Gentry a Tree City USA.
With a group of students from the Gentry Mennonite School in attendance, Janie Parks, executive director of the Gentry Chamber of Commerce and a leader in the effort to make Gentry a Tree City, spoke to those in attendance about the benefits of planting trees in cities and parks. They provide shade, reduce energy use, clean the air and beautify cities and parks, she explained.
Though the new trees were to be planted earlier in the year, wet weather and scheduling conflicts with the tree planters delayed the plantings until earlier this month. Some fruit trees were also recently planted in the east side of the park, fitting for a city which, for a short time in its history, went by the name of Orchard City.
With the trees planted, an official observance of Arbor Day was held, with Kevin Johnston, Gentry's mayor, reading a proclamation in observance of the day and designating Gentry as a Tree City USA.
"Gentry achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the (Arbor Day Foundation) program's four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation," Johnston said in his proclamation.
Following the proclamation, students were each given a book on Arkansas trees provided by the Arkansas Forestry Commission and an apple. A Tree City USA flag was raised on the flag pole in the park on the north side of Main Street with help from students of the Gentry Mennonite School.
Community on 05/25/2016