National Arbor Day was celebrated at Turner Playground on Danforth Street by Mayor Sam Sutter and supporters of the Fall River Street Tree Planting Program (FRSTPP) on April 24, 2015. Mayor Sutter joined the group and performed a symbolic shoveling of the London plane tree that had been planted earlier in the day by city employees and FRSTPP tree steward Stephen Plasski, The tree will provide much needed shade in the area around the playground which was in use by several groups during the ceremony. Mayor Sutter read a proclamation after making some extemporaneous comments about the importance of trees to the quality of life in the City. Quoting from a British study, the Mayor noted that "access to green space has a direct impact on mood and emotional well being  of city residents." He went on to point out that there are three openings on the City Tree Commission, and he would be interested in receiving nominations. Click here for photos of last year's event. Click here for an six-minute video of the event. For information about the Street Tree Planting program, contact Mary Ann Wordell at 508-679-8887.

(Top row) Hannah Bogle shows her four-year-old son, Quinn, a poster about Arbor Day as Mayor Sutter talks with Street Tree Planting Program Coordinator Mary Ann Wordell. (Middle row) The Mayor introduces himself to Tree Steward Maggie Norton and Ms. Bogle after performing a ceremonial planting of the tree. (Bottom row, left and center) The Mayor talks with the children in the group before suggesting to Ms. Wordell how the City can alert residents to the availability of trees that can be planted at no cost on their property. (Bottom row, right) Community Maintenance Director Ken Pacheco talks with Mayoral Assistant Rob Bentlyewski at the end of the event.