Village of Warwick celebrates Arbor Day

WARWICK — Approximately 90 children from the Park Avenue School first grade classes of Pat Santalla, Jennie Cheologis, Charlene D’Angelillo, Cathy Hobart, Donna Berghan and Dori Myers marched to Stanley-Deming Park on Friday, April 26.

It was Arbor Day and they were on their way to celebrate the planting of a Weeping Willow by members of the Village Department of Public Works.

The Shade Tree Commission, which is responsible for planting and maintaining trees throughout the village, organizes the annual event.

Mayor Michael Newhard was on hand to welcome the children and explain that Warwick had been named a “Tree City, USA” for 30 consecutive years. The designation is awarded by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

According to the National Garden Bureau, designation as a Tree City, USA is an asset to any town or village. So are a vital shade tree commission, an inventory of trees, a tree planting and replacement policy and a preservation program. The Village of Warwick qualifies in all areas.

Shade Tree Commissioner Roger Metzger, a 47-year veteran of the commission, explained the importance of trees and pointed to a tall sycamore that children had helped plant at this same event many years ago.

Newhard asked the children to name some benefits that we receive from trees. The variety of all correct answers included fresh air, a home for birds and animals, paper, houses and beauty.

Guest speaker Patricia Reinhardt, a former schoolteacher and member of the Warwick Valley Gardeners, spoke about the origins of the celebration and how the idea, which quickly spread throughout the country, was first observed in Nebraska in 1872.

“Remember how sacred trees are,” she said. “Like you they are living.”

During the ceremony, the school children sang a special song, “The Trees are Growing,” that they had practiced for the occasion.

Several children from each class were invited to take turns shoveling some dirt to help plant the new tree.

Craig Wadeson from Wadeson’s Home Center, then handed out hundreds of tiny evergreens donated by his company.