Sean C. Morgan
The city of Sweet Home’s Tree Commission will plant a celebration tree at Sankey Park to honor Bob Waibel on Arbor Day, April 8.
Also at the annual Arbor Day event, Mayor Craig Fentiman will receive Tree City USA recognition from the Oregon Department of Forestry.
The city has participated in the Tree City USA program for 23 years, he said. “The visual enhancements that have been brought to the downtown are phenomenal.”
The program, which promotes urban forests, improves visual aesthetics and livability, he said.
Waibel completed his last term on the Tree Commission at the end of December, and he chose not to continue on the committee.
The celebration tree for Waibel will be planted “in honor of his many years of dedicated service to the city,” said Connie Debusschere. City staff wanted to see how long he had served on the Tree Commission and found that he has served on different boards, including the Planning Commission, Appeals Board and Tree Commission, since 1984.
The tree, a flowering dogwood by Waibel’s request, will be planted by Weddle Bridge, Debusschere said.
“Bob’s always been a huge supporter of the Tree Commission and the city, and we just appreciate all his efforts over the years,” Fentiman said.
In celebration of Arbor Month, the Tree Commission will host a work party to clean up the Foster Lake Trail on Earth Day, April 23, Debusschere said. Everyone is invited to come and help.
The city Parks Board is also gearing up for activities this summer, Debusschere said. It is planning another skate park rodeo for Sportsman’s Holiday, and it also has started planning a celebration at the city racquetball court.
For more information about the Tree Commission, Parks Board, Arbor Day, the cleanup or volunteering, contact Flierl at 367-7993.