Westlake Garden Club continues decades-long Arbor Day tradition

Westlake Garden Club member Kathy Molner and Mayor Dennis Clough place the first shovel full of dirt on the newly planted Concolor Fir tree in Clague Park.

Since its formation 50 years ago, the Westlake Garden Club has planted trees at various locations in our beautiful city. In 1991, the City of Westlake was designated a "Tree City USA," a designation it has held every year since. This honor is earned by meeting the high standards set by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. 

In recognition of this designation, in 1991 the Westlake Garden Club began its tradition of planting a tree every year on Arbor Day. 

The sun was bright this Arbor Day morning, April 26, as Mayor Dennis Clough, Garden Club members and their guests, Director of Public Service Paul Quinn, administrative assistant Gayle Hill, Urban Forestry Manager Stan Barnard and several of the forestry crew gathered at the Founders’ Walk in Clague Park.

As they have done together many times through the years, Mayor Clough and longtime club member Kathy Molner presided as the Garden Club’s 22nd consecutive Arbor Day tree was planted.

The mayor presented us with a proclamation recognizing Arbor Day 2013 in the City of Westlake. We thank Mayor Clough and his staff for their continued support of our Garden Club and for all the work that goes into keeping our city a Tree City USA. Our thanks and gratitude to Cahoon Nursery for donating the tree and for the many years they have partnered with us.  

The Founders’ Walk is located across from the Clague House Museum and Clague Playhouse. The City recently planted 'Ivory Silk' Tree Lilacs at the brick pathway leading up to the monument. At the far right of the monument is the Garden Club’s 2013 Concolor Fir, joining the Concolor Fir at the far left, which we planted in 2012. Ideally suited for this location, this hardy evergreen grows rapidly once established.

Regina McCarthy

President of the Westlake Garden Club

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Volume 5, Issue 9, Posted 10:42 AM, 04.30.2013