ARBOR DAY 2021
Arbor Day is April 30, 2021 and Canton will be a celebrating its trees and the overall importance of our urban forest. We are encouraging all Canton residents to go outside and take advantage of Canton's beautiful park system and to walk/ride Canton’s active transportation system of bike trails and on street bike facilities so we may appreciate the beautiful trees and green-space we have in Canton. It is important to maintain proper social distancing and health protocols even while out in nature.
In 2013, Canton created its first City Tree Commission and began a process of actively caring for our urban forest. With Mr. Richard Drake leading the charge, since 2013 over 4,500 hazardous trees have been removed along city streets with assistance from American Electric Power and a federal grant for $200,000 was secured with help from the Ohio Department of Natural Resource. In addition, over 3,200 new trees have been planted along our roads, parks and waterways which enrich Canton by reducing reactive maintenance costs and storm water runoff, improving our environment, and making Canton a more inviting and attractive community.
This year, and well as in the past, a dogwood tree was planted at the Canton Garden Center at Stadium Park to commemorate Arbor Day. This tree was donated by Rice’s Landscapes Redefined and planted by Richard Drake, Canton City Arborist, and Rice’s representatives.
In addition to celebrate Arbor Day 2021, the Canton Tree Commission with the support of Canton Parks and Recreation and the Canton Engineering Department will be giving away tree seedlings. The seedlings will be available on April 30, 2021 from 10AM to 1PM at the Canton Garden Center in Canton Stadium Park. To protect the health of all participants, residents are asked to remain in their vehicles and a volunteer will deliver the seedlings to the vehicles.
Canton is the proud to have received the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA Award annually since 2014.
Canton will again be hosting photo contest this year. This year it will be using an online format. Please see attached Photo Contest Rules for detailed information. This year’s focus is “What Trees Mean To Me”.