200 trees to be planted in Flint's Longway Park

FLINT, Michigan — Volunteers will plant 200 trees in Longway Park as part of a local celebration of Arbor Day coordinated by the Genesee Conservation District. It is the fifth year seedlings will be planted at the park located on North Averill Avenue.

“We get to see the trees we planted as seedlings, and we really want to draw attention to that park and the fact that we keep going back. We’re checking in and it’s not forgotten, because we continue our efforts there every year,” said  Angela Warren, Genesee Conservation District administrator.

Volunteers of all ages are being accepted for the event from 3-5 p.m. April 26, 2019, at the park. Longway Park is a 36.6-acre park with multiple ball fields, playground equipment, and a 4-acre wooded area that continues to expand through this project.

Planting started at Longway Park in 2015 when the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts reached out as part of an effort to plant 50,000 white pine seedlings across Michigan. The Genesee Conservation District stepped up, planting 650 white pine seedlings in Longway Park where a rejuvenation of the park had already been underway. 

“We’re also celebrating the fact that the city of Flint is a Tree City USA city, has been for 19 years, and that’s a point that all residents of Flint should be very proud of,” said Warren.

Two other corresponding events also are being planned as part of Genesee Conservation District: 

• The Annual Reforestation Event is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 25, 2019,  at Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, 101 Burton St. in Flint. Pre-sale trees will be able to be picked up and additional trees, fruits, and native wildflowers will be for sale while supplies last.  A Native Plant Workshop will begin at 1 p.m.

• From April 25 through September, residents are encouraged to post photos on social media using the hashtag #showusyourplants of their own planting in an effort to inspire others to do likewise.

Since 2015 the Genesee Conservation District has planted over 70,000 trees through local reforestation events, helped conserve 24,391 acres of farmland, and cycled over 9 million dollars to the local economy.