City of Toledo and Community Partners Celebrate Arbor Day with Tree Planting and Learning at Smith Park with Students from Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy for Boys

The City of Toledo celebrated Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, at Smith Park, where students from Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy for Boys joined city staff and community partners to get their hands dirty planting trees and engaging in a day of outdoor learning, hands-on fun, and environmental education.

The event took place around the park’s new playground, where eleven new trees were planted, including Accolade Elm, Bitternut Hickory, Red Maple, Shademaster Locust, and Katsura. The day began with students from MLK Jr. Academy planting the first tree, marking the beginning of the day’s festivities.

“This event was not only about planting trees but about planting seeds for a greener future," Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said. "Our city is growing, and it’s inspiring to see young people take part in shaping a healthier, more vibrant Toledo."

Educational stations brought the park to life with activities, including a mindfulness walk, an insect detective scavenger hunt, and lessons about how trees support wildlife and improve neighborhoods. The event highlighted the significance of Toledo’s urban forest, providing students and the public with the chance to connect with nature in a meaningful way.

"Arbor Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of our urban forest," Sara Stacy, Commissioner of Urban Beautification, said. "Today’s event helped foster a connection with nature while teaching students the value of the environment."

The event also emphasized the vital role trees play in our ecosystems, their impact on beautifying urban spaces, and the importance of soil and plants in preventing erosion

FirstEnergy and the Toledo Urban Forestry Commission provided lunch for attendees, and each student went home with a giveaway bag filled with a T-shirt, water bottle, and other Arbor Day goodies.

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