Pittsburgh will celebrate Arbor Day with a variety of activities in the city’s Mellon Park on Saturday.
This year marks a milestone for Arbor Day, with the national initiative celebrating its 150th anniversary.
Mellon Park became Pittsburgh’s first designated arboretum in 2021, receiving accreditation from the Morton Arboretum at the urging of Friends of Mellon Park, Tree Pittsburgh and the city’s Forestry Division. The park also is included in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.
Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse Park also is designated as an arboretum.
The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Pittsburgh as a Tree City USA for the past 17 years. In celebration, City Forestry crews will be planting 17 trees to commemorate each year the city earned the recognition.
“On Arbor Day we honor the mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees,” Gainey said. “The city of Pittsburgh will continue developing and supporting our urban canopy to reduce air pollution, enhance property values, provide wildlife habitat and increase aesthetic benefits.”
The city’s event is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Mellon Park. The celebration will include kids’ activities, live music, a food truck, a tree walk and tree plantings.
Park rangers will be present, and Smokey Bear will make a special appearance.
