Planting Trees to Honor Community Milestones
By Jim McAdler
In California Arbor Day is celebrated on Luther Burbank’s birthday, March 7th. Arbor Day—which literally translates to “tree” day from the Latin origin of the word arbor—is a holiday that celebrates the planting, upkeep, and preservation of trees. On Arbor Day four years ago, the Southeast Greenway Campaign planted a coast live oak tree in Spring Lake Park. Today, the tree is thriving in its home by a park bench, with a plaque reading:
The Southeast Greenway Campaign honors the Spring Lake Park Preservation Committee, and we celebrate their successful effort to end plans for a highway bridge over Spring Lake. Their work preserved the integrity of one our most beloved Regional Parks and opened a new opportunity for our community. Now, the Southeast Greenway Campaign carries on this important work of preserving the Greenway for park land, community gardens, trails, and recreation.
Imagine a beautiful Greenway to Spring Lake! When approved, the Southeast Greenway will be a linear park connecting Farmers Lane and Spring Lake, and all the neighborhoods in between. The Greenway will provide many opportunities to plant a tree on Arbor Day, and to create a harmonious extension of Spring Lake Park into our community.
To find the park bench and plaque honoring the Spring Lake Park Preservation Committee, use the Violetti Road entrance and walk on the trail to the northwest corner of the lagoon parking lot. Look for the bench plaque and a young oak tree with netting behind the bench.
Jim McAdler is a founding member of the Southeast Greenway Campaign and serves as Campaign Treasurer.