Dodge City announces Arbor Day tree plantings

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The City of Dodge City Parks and Facilities Department will hold several tree plantings across the city on Friday in recognition of Arbor Day. The plantings will take place at Beeson Arboretum, Cavalier Field, and Arrowhead West’s North Facility at St Mary’s.

The plantings will get underway at 9 a.m. at the Beeson Arboretum, located at 100 W. Beeson Street. According to a release from the city, “the trees will be of a species that are new to the park to continue our efforts to provide a place for the public to visually see different varieties of trees that can be planted in our planting zone and sustain long healthy life, with proper care. All trees at Beeson Arboretum are marked with a plaque to identify their common name easily.”

The staff will then make their way over to Cavalier Field and will plant a memorial tree in honor of former City Manager and Attorney, Ken Strobel, and his family. Also according to the release, “the tree will be planted at Cavalier Field, north of the main entrance on the west side of the facility. These three trees will be purchased with funds provided by CREW Recycling.”

The final stop of the day will come at 2 p.m. at the North Arrowhead West facility. The tree planted there will be in honor of all of the clients of Arrowhead West that have passed away in the last year.

The release stated that “in recognition of Arbor Day, City Parks and Forestry staff will be planting 71 Black Hills Spruce trees on the north and west sides of the new Sutherlands building on Dodge City Community College property. The tree row will act as a physical barrier to help stop wind and beautify the properties as they grow into a mature size. This planting project will take place in the early part of May once trees are ready for placement.”

Arbor Day is celebrated around the United States annually and is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation to promote the planting and care of trees. Each year the foundation recognizes communities who have made tangible efforts in tree planting and care as a “Tree City USA” member. Dodge City has received the Tree City USA designation for 43 consecutive years, since the inception of the award in 1975.