Peoria Standard

The City of Peoria is gearing up to celebrate Arbor Day with its annual tree plantings, scheduled to take place on Friday, April 26. The city will partner with various organizations for the event.

"In observance of Arbor Day, the City of Peoria is proudly partnering with the South-West Kiwanis Club of Peoria, the Peoria Garden Club, and the Peoria Park District to plant ceremonial trees along the City’s riverfront," stated a representative.

The Arbor Day celebrations will kick off at 10:30 am at RiverFront Festival Park near the Gateway Building, with tree plantings set to follow at Sinclair Grove near Constitution Garden. Public Works will also be planting a tree at the Peoria Fire Department Central Fire Station.

The City's commitment to urban forestry has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation, earning Peoria the prestigious designation as a Tree City USA for the 31st time. "This year, the Arbor Day Foundation again recognized Peoria’s outstanding commitment to promoting urban forestry and expanding the City’s green footprint," the representative added.

In 2023, the City collaborated with Ameren Illinois for the Energy Efficiency Tree Planting Pilot Initiative, resulting in the planting of nearly 200 trees. It is noted that on average, the City’s Forestry Division plants between 70-100 trees annually.

"Trees are planted in City-owned lots, rights-of-way, boulevard areas, and throughout Downtown," emphasized the representative, urging residents to join in commemorating Arbor Day by attending the tree plantings.