City Council holds Arbor Day tree planting at Boat Basin

Published 10:11 am Friday, March 3, 2023

Members of the Bainbridge City Council gathered at the Earle May Boat Basin on Tuesday morning for the city’s annual Arbor Day ceremony. This is in line with Georgia’s Arbor Day, rather than National Arbor Day, which occurs on the last Friday of April. With the assistance of the Forestry Commission, including Chief Ranger Bryan Cottles, this year saw a Chinese fringe tree planted. Last year, a live oak tree was planted at West Bainbridge’s Blue Hole Park.

The city has planted trees for Arbor Day for years, and has been officially recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for 31 years. In order to be recognized as a Tree City, a city must put a certain amount of time and money towards the planting and maintenance of tree’s in the community, as well as observe Arbor Day and make an official proclomation.Tuesday’s ceremony was supposed to be introduced with a welcome by Mayor Pro Tem Phil Long, but he could not attend, with City Councilwoman Sylvia Washington filling in. “Each year we are honored to plant a tree in a special location within our city,” Washington said.

Following Washington’s introduction, Ervin Flanders blessed the tree. “Just bless this tree God, and the grounds that we’re planting it in,” Flanders prayed. “We ask today to make these grounds holy, that it would grow as never before, in your son Jesus we pray.” After Flander’s blessing, Mayor Edward Reynolds presented the city’s proclamation.

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Randee Eubanks, special events coordinator for the city, briefly spoke to the Post-Searchlight about the ceremony afterwards. “We just are excited to once again be recognized as a Tree City USA,” she said. “We look forward to the ceremony every year, and planting a tree to help beautify our community.”