FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2012
Contact: Art Raymond
801-547-2659

City to Plant Stand of Trees to Honor Public Safety Personnel
Grove of Gratitude to be a community “thank you” and enhancement to Riverside Park
 
SALT LAKE CITY – Mayor Ralph Becker’s office will join City Police, Fire and Urban Forestry departments and the new Service in the City Volunteer Program in celebrating Arbor Day with a week-long tree planting event at Riverside Park, 1400 West 700 North, April 23–26, 4–5 p.m.
 
Over 100 trees will be planted in honor of current and former police officers, fire fighters and first responders.
 
Salt Lake City Police Department Media Coordinator Lara Jones said the project will benefit the community for many years.
 
“The trees will stand as an expression of gratitude for the service public safety workers provide and will enhance Riverside Park for future generations,” said Jones.
 
Each day during the project week, adult and youth volunteers will plant trees. Participants are  encouraged to become stewards of the grove during the initial growing years.  Volunteers will have the  opportunity to work side-by-side with Salt Lake City police officers and fire fighters.
 
Project volunteer partners include YouthCity, the Salt Lake City Police Youth Explorers and the Mobile Neighborhood Watch, in addition to members of the sports teams who practice at Riverside Park.  Over 200 volunteers are expected to participate over the course of the project.
 
The Service in the City Volunteer Program, launched in January 2012, is designed to connect residents with meaningful service projects and volunteer opportunities within Salt Lake City. To volunteer for this project, or find out more about Service in the City, contact Savannah Wake at 801-535-6202, savannah.wake@slcgov.com or visit the program’s website, http://www.slcgov.com/volunteer.
 
EVENT:      Bill Rutherford, Salt Lake City Urban Forester
                 Lara Jones, Salt Lake City Police Department Media Director
                 Savannah Wake, Salt Lake City Volunteer Coordinator
 
WHAT:     Grove of Gratitude Volunteer Tree Planting and Arbor DayEvent
 
WHEN:     Volunteer Tree Planting
                Monday–Thursday, April 23–26, 4–5 p.m.
 
               Dedication Ceremony
               Friday, April 27, 10 a.m.
 
WHERE:    Riverside Park, 1400 West 700 North