CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW.COM) – The City of Clarksville delayed Arbor Day celebrations this year due to recent public health concerns. Traditionally held in April, Arbor Day is observed by the planting of trees. On Friday, Nov. 13, a small group including the Clarksville Tree Board gathered at Liberty Park to commemorate Arbor Day and officially open the City of Clarksville Arboretum.
The City of Clarksville Arboretum is located along the Cumberland River within Liberty Park at 1188 Cumberland Drive. The Clarksville Tree Board and Clarksville Parks and Recreation’s current city forester have established and maintained a diverse collection of trees along the Riverwalk at Liberty Park as a city arboretum. This setting was chosen due to an existing group of trees affectionately named Tuttle’s Grove, after Gary Tuttle, Clarksville’s first city forester. With the help of the City Council and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture-Division of Forestry, Tuttle provided a strong foundation to allow Clarksville’s urban forest to thrive today.
John Woodcock, Forestry Program specialist for the state Department of Agriculture, was on-hand to present the following awards:
- Tree City USA to the Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department
- Tree Line USA to CDE Lightband
- Tree Campus USA to Austin Peay State University
Wes Powell, assistant director of Landscape and Grounds at Austin Peay State University, said it was a successful Arbor Day.
“I was so very pleased that we were able to finally celebrate Arbor Day for Clarksville today. Our Tree Board, the city forester, and countless volunteers have put in so much work over the years to establish and maintain our urban forest, which is a vital part of the city’s infrastructure. Our city’s trees are working every day to reduce erosion, air pollution, and cooling costs as well as offset carbon, provide oxygen, filter storm water and so much more for the citizens of Clarksville.”
For more information regarding the Clarksville Arboretum, visit ClarksvilleParksRec.com.