Hampton observes Arbor Day with citywide tree plantings

A group of tree-loving Hamptonites got their hands dirty to commemorate Arbor Day in the most fitting fashion last week.

Ten volunteers turned out to help plant around 25 trees at Harriman Park, Progress Park and along 12th Avenue Northwest Friday morning. The plantings were coordinated by the Hampton Tree Board, which spent much of the winter mapping out the areas that would receive the new leafy additions. The tree board has nearly 20 different types of trees planned for various areas in Hampton this year.

 "Isn't that great? Almost 20 varieties," said tree board Chair Dick Lukensmeyer.

The board originally hoped to plant around 100 new trees on Arbor Day, but bad weather earlier last week postponed other plantings at East Park, Waterwork Park, Hampton-Dumont Middle School and the Rolling Prairie Trail. Some trees hadn’t matured enough to get planted on Friday, and a delayed tree shipment delivery created further wrinkles.

Read the full article in the April 30 edition of the Hampton Chronicle.