Arbor Day on April 20 will celebrate the great outdoors and the community’s support for the environment. From left, back row: Charles Beatty, Richard Young, from L.A. County, Leslie Dickson, Hector Delgadillo, Rita Hadjimanoukian and Danette Erikson. Front left, front row: Lainy Ann, Connor, Eleanor, William and Alexander Dickson.
By Mary O’KEEFE
One of the perks of living in Crescenta Valley is all of the trees that line the streets and parks. Maybe it is because CV is at the base of a national forest, but there is a natural respect in the area for nature.
A law was passed to protect oak trees. When a new business owner was preparing to chop a Moreton Bay Fig tree down, residents protested and the tree was saved. The community gave a collective sigh of relief when the smoke cleared from the Station Fire and revealed the oak tree at Deukmejian Park still stood. Crescenta Valley understands the importance of trees and their historical importance to the California ecosystem.
It is that respect for nature that brings out volunteers, led by Crescenta Valley Town Council, to recognize and celebrate Arbor Day.
A few days ago, CVTC members Danette Erickson and Charles Beatty were joined by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s representative Rita Hadjimanoukian to walk through the placement of the stage for this Saturday’s Arbor Day celebration at Two Strike Park. The event is sponsored by Antonovich’s office.
“Along with the town council, our annual commemoration of Arbor Day at Two Strike Park gives us an opportunity to not only educate the community about the importance of trees but also to celebrate all of the projects developing in the Crescenta Valley including the Crescenta Valley Dog Park, the Rosemont Preserve, the war memorial, trails, playgrounds and Eagle Scout projects,” Antonovich said.
This year, the day’s theme is The Great Outdoors and will feature Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca as keynote speaker.
“The sheriff is an avid outdoorsman,” said Beatty, who is the town council’s Arbor Day chair. He added that it seemed like a natural fit because Baca and Antonovich work closely together on several issues.
“And Sheriff Baca has always supported our area,” added Beatty.
In addition to Baca, the event will recognize local Boy Scouts who have earned their Eagle rank in 2012.
“[Eagle Scouts] really do a lot in our area,” Erickson said.
The planting of vegetation around the Welcome to Crescenta Valley sign on Pennsylvania Avenue near the Foothill (210) Freeway off ramp and the beautification project at Orange and Rosemont avenues near Monte Vista Elementary School were done by Eagle Scouts.
In keeping the Boy Scout theme, Troop 288 will be demonstrating its mountaineering badge and their rope bridge, said CVTC member Leslie Dickson.
The scouts will build a rope bridge that they made themselves and will allow kids to walk across.
The award winning Crescenta Valley High School Jazz Band will be at the event to entertain as well as the St. James Children’s Choir and members of the Amy Chang Piano Studio.
Arbor Day began in the 1800s when journalist J. Sterling Morton moved from Detroit to Nebraska. Through his writing, he began a campaign to plant trees across the state and championed what would become Arbor Day.
As is tradition, CVTC will be planting a tree for Arbor Day.
There will also be booths from several local non-profit agencies.
The event will take place on Saturday at Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave. beginning at 10 a.m.
It is free to attend.
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