ArborFest

SPRING COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING

Thank you, Grand Rapids!

On April 26 & 27, 2024 we celebrated Arbor Day and kicked off this year’s spring tree planting season at ArborFest.

ArborFest and Neighborwoods are community tree plantings that Friends hosts annually in partnership with the Mayor’s Greening Initiative. Working in a different neighborhood each year, these two events bring trees to neighborhoods that need them the most – contributing to Friends’ goal of planting 10,000 trees and creating a 40% tree canopy. 

Join us on September 27 & 28, 2024 to plant another 200 trees in the MLK Park Neighborhood!

 

Neighborwoods 2024

At ArborFest 2024:

We planted 250+ trees in the MLK Park Neighborhood. We were joined by 450+ volunteers, who put in a collective 1,350 hours of volunteer time. We were joined by 28 skilled site leaders who trained other volunteers how to plant their trees. Additionally, we found new homes for 30+ free container trees for neighbors and participants to plant at their homes.

Thank you!

We are grateful for support from the MLK Park Neighborhood and King Park Neighbors. On average, we receive ~20% tree denials during these community tree planting events, but we only received ~10% in this neighborhood. Many neighbors showed up to plant with us, wanted additional trees, and some even provided drinks and snacks for volunteers.

This work would not be possible without our incredible volunteers, sponsors, and partners. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to increasing our city’s tree canopy. 

Additionally, we thank Tiffany Fant (Mo Photography), Yummy in the Tummy for lunch at our community celebration, Wimee from PBS, and our friends at Miigwich who provided a blessing of the land and a traditional corn soup for all participants.

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ArborFest 2024 in the News

Rooting for a
greener future

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Grand Rapids branches out with over 250 new trees

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ArborFest & Neighborwoods 2024 Sponsors & Partners

AHC Hospitality

Bartlett Tree Experts

Bloom Credit Union

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Mammoth Distilling

MSU Federal Credit Union

Rehmann Financial

The Williams Family

TowerPinkster

Friends of Grand Rapids Parks is an equal opportunity provider. This program is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Urban & Community Forestry Program. ArborFest and Neighborwoods 2024 are in partnership with the Mayor’s Greening Initiative, King Park Neighborhood Association, and more. This event is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.