To the Editor,
I would like to respond to the recent letter to the editor about the Village’s Tree City designation.
The Village has been a Tree City for 39 years one of the oldest in NY State. This designation involves budgetary guidelines, a Shade Tree Commission and a program of tree planting maintenance, feeding and removal. The Village is also a recipient of the National Arbor Day Growth Award for the 23rd year which is for work above and beyond the Tree City designation. The Village is the longest recipient of continuous growth awards in New York State. The trees mentioned - the willows in Stanley Deming Park - were ones that were seriously damaged during Hurricanes Irene, Lee and Sandy. We tried to save them through selective pruning but the trees started failing and large limbs would come down, creating a safety issue in a park which is a draw for children and families. We actually planted new willows years prior to any removal so they would get a head start, which they have. There are the same number of trees along the stream as before. Last fall we had a special celebration along the Wawayanda Stream in Memorial Park where we planted five Tupelo trees. In fact we plant an average of 45 trees a year.
The trees that were removed surrounding the Old School Baptist Meeting House was under the purview of the Warwick Historical Society who own Lewis Park. They are engaged in a restoration project for the Meeting House.
On Friday, April 28, 2023 at 9:15 there will be a tree planting ceremony at the Roger Metzger Arboretum in Stanley Deming Park. The annual celebration will include the first Grade classes from Park Avenue School, Pat Reinhardt from the Warwick Valley Gardeners and members of the Shade Tree Commission as well as myself and Village Board Members. The Public is invited and my hope, is to see the letter writer there.
Very truly yours,
Mayor Michael J. Newhard
Village of Warwick