The Big Dig:  Arbor Day 2007 on the Greenway

Commissioner Peter McLaughlin at the Arbor Day kickoff.  Also pictured:  Council Member Robert Lilligren

Wells Fargo’s Carolyn Roby addresses the crowd.  Also pictured:  Eric Hart, Midtown Greenway Coalition / Longfellow Community Council; Council Member Robert Lilligren.

 

HCRRA’s John Tripp, a long-time Arbor Day advocate and one of the event's key organizers.

Ryan Companies crew members hard at work.

 

A tremendous turnout of neighborhood residents at Brackett Park.

It was hard to see the trees for the volunteers at this year’s Arbor Day on the Midtown Greenway.   For long-time participants, the 7th Annual MCW Arbor Day will surely count as one of the best yet.  Flawless weather, a fabulous turnout, and seamless event planning and coordination combined to make for a near-perfect event. 

Commissioner Peter McLaughlin led the kickoff at the Anne Sullivan School, which included remarks from Council Members Robert Lilligren and Gary Schiff, Wells Fargo’s Carolyn Roby, Tree Trust Chair Dave Hawes, and Eric Hart of the Midtown Greenway Coalition and the Longfellow Community Council.  Commissioner McLaughlin gave a special recognition to Larry Blackstad, the recently-retired head of Hennepin County Community Works, for his contributions to the Community Works program and the Midtown Greenway over the years. 

An unofficial count of more than 250 volunteers made quick work of planting 350 native trees and shrubs at four sites along Phase III of the Greenway.   As in years past, the event drew large crews of employees from corporate partners, including Wells Fargo, Ryan Companies, and Xcel Energy.   Neighborhood residents and volunteers from area businesses, churches, and service organizations also turned out in force.  Volunteer tree care advisers and master gardeners from Tree Trust were on hand to educate volunteers about proper planting techniques.  

By 11:00 a.m., the coffee was gone, volunteers were heading home, crews were packing up shovels, and the Arbor Day committee was already starting to talk about 2008.  

 

Thanks to our funders and contributors for this year’s Arbor Day event:

Allina Hospitals and Clinics/Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Ryan Companies

Wells Fargo

Target Corporation

Xcel Energy

Midtown Greenway Coalition

Longfellow Community Council

Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority

Hennepin County

Tree Trust

City of Minneapolis

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Seward Neighborhood Group

Peace Coffee

Birch Clothing

Western Roofing Supply Co.