Avon Lake Receives 19th 'Tree City USA' Designation

The Arbor Day Foundation has once again designated Avon Lake as a Tree City USA “for its commitment to urban forestry.

It is the 19th time has earned the honor from the Foundation, which is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees.

“We all benefit when communities like Avon Lake place a high priority on planting and caring for trees,” John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation, said.

Rosenow said the benefits of trees are numerous, including providing shade and aesthetics to neighborhoods as well as many environmental, economic and social benefits.

“We applaud Avon Lake’s elected officials, volunteers and citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest,” Rosenow said.

The city qualified for the honor after meeting the four stands set to become a Tree City USA community: a tree board of department, a tree-care ordinance, a community forestry program with annual expenditures of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

In Ohio, 244 towns and cities have received "Tree City USA" designations. Locally, Bay Village, Lakewood, Rocky River and Westlake were awarded the honor, as did Avon lake, in 2011.

This year's Arbor Day is April 27.