Covington’s Arbor Day event will take place at Friendship Park, located at 15808 S.E. 254th Place, at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27.

In addition to celebrating Arbor Day, the event will honor two other important occasions: the 10th year the City has achieved the Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation and the 100th year celebration of the Gift of Trees as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

A delegation of Japanese exchange students will join Covington parks and recreation commissioners in the planting of two large Yoshino cherry trees.

The original design plans for Friendship Park included cherry trees, but they were inadvertently left out of the project. The city will use this opportunity to complete the original plans by planting the cherry trees while celebrating the friendship the city shares with the Japanese exchange student program.

Later that day, the Covington City Council will honor the Japanese exchange students and commemorate Arbor Day by presenting each with a proclamation at the regular city council meeting at 7 p.m. in city hall, followed by a dessert reception.

The public is encouraged to attend either or both events.

For more information, please contact Covington Parks and Recreation Director Scott Thomas at sthomas@covingtonwa.gov or 253.638.1110.