City of Euclid Shade Tree Commission - Recap of a Busy Year
The Shade Tree/Municipal Beautification Commission strives to make a difference in Euclid and believes one of life’s richest blessings is to plant a garden and to believe in tomorrow. As we enter the final season of the year, the Commission is reflecting on this year’s achievements:
Tree Commission Academy
A primary goal of the Commission is continuing education for its commissioners as a way to educate the community. This year, four members enrolled in the Tree Commission Academy, taught by The Ohio Division of Forestry, and graduated on May 30th with a Bachelor Certificate in Urban Forestry.
Arbor Day Celebration
The Commission is responsible for promoting and initiating the planting of trees throughout the city and we are honored to put forth an Arbor Day Celebration and tree planting annually. This year, two beautiful Lantern Magnolia trees were planted in honor of Euclid stewards Reverend Michele Humphrey of Imani Church and former Ward 3 Councilwoman Kandace Jones. The celebration and planting was held at City Hall on Friday, April 27th with over 100 attendees. Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail presented both guests with an official Arbor Day certificate.
The Big Clean
The Commission is pleased to have been a sponsor of Keep Euclid Beautiful’s 2018 The Big Clean litter pick-up event held April 21st. Many Commission members are also regular Keep Euclid Beautiful volunteers and worked alongside Euclid residents, business owners and stakeholders in cleaning up nearly 200 bags of trash.
2018 New Commissioner Appointments
In May, Ward 5 Councilwoman Christine McIntosh and resident Adelina Easley were sworn into the Commission by Ward 3 Councilwoman and fellow Commissioner Taneika Hill.
Tree City USA
The Commission attended the Tree City USA Conference Luncheon on May 8th in Avon Lake to accept the Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA designation on behalf of the City of Euclid. This marks the 28th consecutive year Euclid has met the Arbor Day Foundation’s four core standards of sound urban forestry management: maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day. The Commission strives to inspire the community to plant, nurture and celebrate trees and are honored to assist the city in its commitment to effective urban forest management.
Memorial Day Parade
For the past 88 years, residents and guests have lined the city’s parade route to celebrate, honor and remember our veterans and active military personnel. For this year’s parade, the Commission decorated their float with plants and trees and participating commissioners donned bright green t-shirts and waved to spectators. Chairwoman Brenda Hall said she could imagine the smile of Euclid legend Chuck Hill as the parade turned down the drive leading to the Veterans monuments next to City Hall. Commissioners were overjoyed to be selected first-place winners of the best float in this year’s parade and look forward to participating next year.
E. 200th St. Stroll
Held June 2nd, the Commission was situated along the northern half of E. 200th St sharing their mission with attendees and advertising their grand summertime event, the Pond & Garden Tour. This year two new garden hosts were recruited through this event.
Wind Fest
An exciting event each year, various commissioners attended on June 16th and passed out save-the-date flyers for the upcoming Pond & Garden Tour.
2018 Pond & Garden Tour
This year’s event, held July 21-22, was amazing and magical. Euclid welcomed several hundred guests from all over Ohio to view the nineteen different outdoor settings on the tour including a special Twilight Tour on Saturday evening. While the skies appeared daunting for much of the weekend, they did not stop guests from enjoying the hidden treasures our beautiful lakefront city holds. If you missed this year’s tour, do not worry, as the city’s green thumbs will be back next year with a bigger and greener tour!
Host Gardeners Appreciation Red Carpet Dinner
Along with the City of Euclid, the Commission hosted their annual appreciation dinner to show gratitude to this year’s host gardeners and volunteers. Held August 9th, guests received red carpet treatment as they enjoyed appetizers and a wonderful catered dinner while being serenaded by a jazz trio during the ceremony. Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail presented each host gardener with a Certificate of Appreciation and special thanks were given to the Pond & Garden Tour 2018 sponsors.
For more information on Euclid Shade Tree/Municipal Beautification Commission initiatives or events, please contact Chairwoman Brenda Hall at shadetreecommission@cityofeuclid.com.
Anne Delehanty
City of Euclid employee, member of City of Euclid Shade Tree Commission.