Crowds of community members congregated at McRae Park in South Minneapolis to honor Arbor Day, a national observance dedicated to planting, caring for, and preserving trees. The gathering took place on Thursday, April 25, ahead of the national observance, in anticipation of rainy weather on Friday.
Live music filled the air, with a jazz band perched high in a tree via harnesses as they serenaded attendees. Despite the windy conditions, the day proved perfect for the annual event, which featured the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s forestry department and various community partners offering tree-themed activities for all ages. The festivities included tree care tips from arborists, gardening tips from local community gardens like We Garden on 15th Avenue, tree planting, bucket truck rides, food trucks, and more.
The event also honored McRae Park’s rich legacy in community sports. Former Minnesota Viking and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, former coaches Mike Williams, Willie Robinson, and David Maggitt, and current members of the park’s athletic programs, including the Green Machine Football and Cheerleading Camp, stopped by to help plant a tree in honor of the park’s football history.
“We’re here to celebrate the history of McRae Park and the football program, which goes back to the early ’50s, with the great Ed Solomon, who was also superintendent of the Park Board,” said Kedrick Williams, Sr., president of McRae Area Recreational Council (MARC). “Ed really put down good roots here in Minneapolis. So we’re here to plant a tree to honor the football history and the many kids he helped raise in Minneapolis. We’re celebrating the many good athletes that have come through here.”
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