MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department in conjunction with HNI Corporation will host a tree planting event Thursday and Friday (April 29-30) in celebration of National Arbor Day.
As part of HNI’s commitment to giving back to the communities where they operate and to support Arbor Day, HNI donated 500 three- to four-feet tall trees, stakes, and will have over 100 volunteers to plant the trees at 18 sites throughout the Muscatine Park System.
Muscatine Branching Out will be providing proper tree planting guidance to all of the volunteers to ensure the health of the trees during planting. The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department is helping to coordinate the plantings.
“Many of our City parks have lost trees due to diseases, insect infestation, and severe weather,” Nick Gow, Park Maintenance Superintendent for the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department, said. “This tree planting will help our community keep diversifying our urban habitat and expand our tree canopy.”
Three will be planted at the following parks/facilities: Muscatine Riverfront; Weed Park; Fuller Park; Taylor Park; Musser Park; Muscatine Dog Park; Duncan Park; Mark Twain Overlook; Brook Street Park; Sister Cities Park; 4th Street Park; Eversmyer Park; Oak Park; Lucas Park; Greenwood Cemetery; Muscatine Soccer Complex; Kent Stein Park; and, Muscatine Municipal Golf Course.
“We are thankful to HNI for their donation of the trees and the volunteers to help plant,” Gow said. “We are also thankful for the Muscatine Branching Out volunteers who have the expertise in tree planting to help ensure the health of the trees during planting.”