WAYNESBORO – Stay tuned – there is more to come since the recent announcement that Rotary Park in Waynesboro has officially been approved for arboretum accreditation.
Metal signs identifying the designation will be added to signs that already exist at all four entrances to the park – the main entrance off the parking lot to the park on Ninth Street, one off Eighth Street, a grass pathway off Fairview Avenue and the paved entry off Fairview Avenue near Anthony Avenue, according to Austin Lally, a member of the Shade Tree Commission. After Lally proposed the idea to the group last year, the commission hosted a tree walk in October to introduce it to the public.
“I am excited that we’ve taken this idea from nothing and made it happen,” he added. “I love the fact that it acknowledges a great resource that we already have right here in our backyards.
“We also will add identification tags with the species and the Latin names to each tree. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Arbor Day, April 24, with more details later,” Lally said. The level one arboretum accreditation is through ArbNet. There are 68 trees – 28 different species – at the five-acre park.
“I’m hopeful this encourages more people to come out and spend time in the park, not just because it’s a place to play basketball, but an interesting education resource,” he added. “As we add tree tags, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the trees, and that’s what an arboretum is all about. And someday I’d like to add a map of the park and its trees to the information board.
“This park is literally in my backyard,” Lally said, “and in the heart of the community.”
