Tree planting begins for downtown Streetscape project

BY KEVIN BONESKE

REPORTER/PHOTOGRAPHER

Rhinelander’s Streetscape project began the process of planting trees as part of the downtown reconstruction and beautification work Tuesday morning when mayor Dick Johns proclaimed Oct. 25 as Arbor Day in the city.

“The city of Rhinelander is nearing completion of the 2016 downtown Streetscape project; the replanting of trees being one of the last steps in the project,” John stated in the proclamation read outside City Hall along Stevens Street.

Johns was joined by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources urban and community forestry coordinator Don Kissinger, who noted Rhinelander is in its third year of being recognized as a “Tree City USA” community.

“Typically (a recognition of Arbor Day) occurs in the spring of the year, because the last Friday in April is the official Arbor Day in Wisconsin…,” Kissinger said. “We’re having (Arbor Day recognized in Rhinelander) because the city did receive a grant from the DNR, and part of the grant was for tree planting.”

Rhinelander parks director Gunder Paulsen said the 77 trees being planted in the downtown area for the Streetscape project, and 14 others elsewhere in the city, include a diversity of species.