Belpre Elementary students work on activities prepared by the Belpre Tree Commission at Civitan Park on Friday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

BELPRE – In honor of the America 250 celebrations and Arbor Day, Belpre Elementary School students helped place mulch around a newly planted white oak tree in Civitan Park Friday morning.

For 30 years, the city of Belpre has been recognized as a Tree City with the help of the Belpre Tree Commission and city officials working diligently to take care of current trees and plant over 200 new treelings.

Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella said the city reads a formal tree proclamation each year in honor of the city’s plentiful trees. She said this year, they decided to invite the kids for a morning of activities in the park.

“They could learn about Earth Day and Arbor Day and it’s important we share it with the next generation,” said Abdella. “In 2024 I received a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources that allowed us to plant 190 trees.”

With the help of Belpre City Streets Supervisor and Tree Commission member Chris Barringer, there are over 200 trees planted in two years.

Belpre Mayor Susan Abdella reads the Tree City proclamation to Belpre Elementary students at Civitan Park on Friday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Barringer was awarded a plaque from ODNR Division of Forestry for his work in maintaining the city and its abundant trees.

“We’re moving forward and that’s the most important thing,” he said.

The students gathered around the newly planted white oak tree as Abdella read the formal proclamation. When she was finished reading, the students each took a turn grabbing handfuls of mulch to lay on the soil surrounding the tree.

Washington County Recorder and America 250 coordinator Teresa Judson said the white oak was selected as Ohio’s tree to honor the nation’s 250th celebration this year.

“The planting of the white oak was the symbol that Ohio has come up with because of its sturdiness and lifespan,” said Judson. “It’s just a really great event for Belpre since they’re a Tree City.”

Belpre Elementary students toss mulch on top of the white oak tree recently planted at Civitan Park on Friday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Judson said there are events such as the Arbor Day event in Belpre that will take place in Washington County communities frequently and leading up to July 4th.

“There’s something for everybody to celebrate whether it’s an event or July 4th celebration or educational programs,” she said. “We have a lot of things planned this summer.”

Students were separated into groups where they explored the different presentations prepared by the Belpre Tree Commission. There were educational-focused games and demonstrations where commission members talked about the different trees in Civitan Park.

The white oak planted in Civitan Park is expected to live for 300 years and will succeed multiple generations. Abdella said her grandkids and their kids could one day see the white oak reach its hundredth year at Civitan Park.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com

Belpre Tree Commission chairman Joyce Jones shows a Belpre Elementary student images of trees leaves at Civitan Park on Friday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

A Belpre Elementary student touches the park of a pine tree at Civitan Park on Friday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)