When the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board throws a party, it goes big. Big equipment, big logs, big games. The MPRB’s annual Arbor Day celebration at Windom Park had them all, plus food trucks, beer and plenty of foresters on hand to answer questions, give bucket rides and most importantly, plant trees.
MPRB planted 150 trees Friday, April 28, with the help of hundreds of people who gathered despite a persistent drizzle. Craig Pinkalla, MPRB forestry preservation coordinator, said 36 species of hardwood trees and 10 types of conifers were planted in the 380-acre park. “The priority,” he said, “is to create canopy, and to create habitat.”
He was glad to see more conifers added to the park. “When you have more conifers, you get more forest animals such as flying squirrels and owls.”
The rain stopped and the clouds parted about half-way through the event. Tree-planting occurred every half-hour. Those who planted a tree received a tree to plant at home.
Despite a nearly continuous drizzle on Friday, April 28, hundreds of people turned out for an Arbor Day celebration at Windom Park. They planted 150 trees, climbed trees, took bucket rides and played games, sponsored by Minneapolis Board of Parks and Recreation. (Checkerboard photo by Cynthia Sowden; other photos by Max Goldberg)