BETHESDA, MD—The Montgomery County Department of Parks annual Arbor Day celebration will be scaled back this year and held at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard in Bethesda, in conjunction with the nature center’s Green Thumb Festival on Saturday, April 24 from 10:00 am – 2:30 pm.
Green Thumb & Arbor Day Festival participants may pay $3 per person if they pre-register at www.ParkPASS.org (Course No. 104453) and $5 per person at the door.
“We’ve celebrated Arbor Day at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood for the past 12 years,” said Director of Parks Mary R. Bradford. “Due to budget constraints, we had to move it this year. I’m sure visitors to Locust Grove will enjoy the Green Thumb and Arbor Day Festival at its new location. And we appreciate the willingness of Arbor Day celebrants to contribute to its continuance in spite of today’s tough budget realities.”
The Green Thumb & Arbor Day Festival at Locust Grove Nature Center will include:
- Tree climbing demonstrations;
- Demonstrations from Master Gardeners on container gardening and growing native plants;
- Plant crafts;
- Sustainable gardening solutions;
- Bucket rides in a cherry picker;
- Tree planting and mulching;
- Fun for kids; and
- A native plant sale—find complete list of available plants at greatly reduced rates and an order form at www.LocustGroveNature.org.
Historically, more than 1,500 visitors have joined Montgomery Parks for the annual Arbor Day celebration at the Agricultural History Farm Park. Event partners such as the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Scales and Tales program, Anacostia Watershed Society, Montgomery County Forestry Board, area food vendors and others benefit from the day-long event. An annual Arbor Day observance has also been one of the four standards met and necessary to name Montgomery County a Tree City USA.
Recently the Department of Parks launched a new website, see www.ParksMatter.org, to share information about the impacts of budget decisions on the county’s parks and how park fans can help to protect, preserve and enjoy the parks through other means, especially private support and volunteerism.
For more on the upcoming Green Thumb & Arbor Day Festival at Locust Grove, including volunteer opportunities, visit www.LocustGroveNature.org.
Green Thumb & Arbor Day Festival
Saturday, April 24, 2010
10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Locust Grove Nature Center
7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
Cost: $3 with pre-registration at www.ParkPASS.org (Course No. 104453), $5 at the door
More information: www.LocustGroveNature.org.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866