Community plants trees in new Richland park

Richland's last park now has several trees after those in the community helped plant the greenery for Richland's Arbor Day.

City of Richland Park Ranger Jason Janosky says Drollinger Park just off Duportail is slowly becoming a nice area for the neighborhood. He says the area started as a dirt lot and now is a grassy field with the addition of eight trees, thanks to several people on Friday, including Girl Scout Troop 4554.

Richland also celebrated being named a Tree City USA from the Arbor Day Foundation for the 18th year. The award is only given to cities that meet several requirements including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.

The city is also unique in that it has its own utilities department, therefore, it was also awarded Tree Line USA which requires certain standards for the utility department, like making sure trees are trimmed and don't hit power lines.

Richland's Arborist Ruben Rojas says the city currently has over 5,800 trees in their care and planted just over 85 trees last year alone.