Niagara County celebrates Arbor Day with tree planting in Oppenheim Park

Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Becky Wydysh joined staff from the Niagara County Parks Department to plant a tree in Oppenheim Park to celebrate Arbor Day. The Parks Department will be planting more than 200 trees this season through a forest restoration grant that is part of the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

“I extend my congratulations to the Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District, which took the lead on this grant application and coordinated with our partners in Lockport and Niagara Falls in securing this funding,” Wydysh said. “We have lost some trees in our parks from the severe weather events over the last few years, so I am proud that on Arbor Day we are beginning to replant.”

Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Jeff Gaston oversees county parks. He said the plan is to plant 120 trees in Krull Park and 80 trees in Oppenheim this spring.

“Our county parks are second to none and have many terrific amenities, but their natural beauty is still the best part,” Gaston said. “Inclement weather, disease and insects can take their toll on our tree population, so having grant funds to reforest our parks is very much needed and appreciated.”