Lexington, KY. (April 5, 2024) — Reforest the Bluegrass, Lexington’s annual tree-planting event, will celebrate its 25th anniversary Saturday, April 13, at Coldstream Park, the site of the program’s first planting.
“Reforest the Bluegrass is focused on bringing our community together to improve our environment,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “Trees help make Lexington a better place to live by cooling urban environments, purifying air and water, and improving people’s mental and physical well-being.”
This year’s Reforest participants will follow in the footsteps of some 18,000 volunteers who have planted more than 215,000 seedlings, and restored more than 200 acres of floodplain, since Reforest began.
Coldstream Park has undergone many changes since the first Reforest planting in 1999. The Legacy Trail and dog park have made Coldstream a popular destination, and a major stream restoration project has helped improve the Cane Run watershed.
“We are excited to invite the community to plant seedlings with us at the 25th anniversary of Reforest the Bluegrass,” said Heather Wilson, Program Manager Sr. for Urban and Community Forestry. “We hope both new and experienced volunteers join us as we return to Coldstream Park, the site of Lexington’s first Reforest the Bluegrass planting.”
Volunteers of all ages and abilities are invited to plant trees between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at Coldstream Park, 1850 Pisacano Drive. Participants receive a free lunch and a t-shirt, and are invited to visit exhibitor booths for fun activities about trees, water quality, and other environmental topics. Pre-registration is not required.
The following weekend, the Reforest at Home program will continue for a fifth year. From 10 a.m. – 1p.m., April 20, Fayette County residents can pick up free trees at one of three locations: Living Arts and Science Center, 326 N. Martin Luther King Blvd; Shillito Park, 300 West Reynolds Road; and Jacobson Park, 4001 Athens Boonesboro Road.
Both large shade tree seedlings and small flowering tree seedlings will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of two small trees and five trees total per household.
Private and public partners work together on Reforest. Both Kentucky Utilities and Kentucky American Water have supported Reforest the Bluegrass for all 25 years of the program. Additional sponsors include Quantrell Subaru, John’s Run/Walk Shop, Green Forests Work, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Big Bang Customs, Big Beaver Tree Service Inc., Lexington Tree Board, Wild Birds Unlimited, Wild Ones, Donut Days and Good Foods Co-op.
For more Information about Reforest the Bluegrass and Reforest at Home, visit lexingtonky.gov/reforest.
