The heavy impact from the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes can still be seen in north Dayton neighborhoods, parks, and wooded areas. Five Rivers MetroParks and the Arbor Day Foundation partnered to plant 100 trees at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark in Dayton.
“Five Rivers MetroPark has a specific long-term goal to play in ongoing efforts to recover from the tornado, which is restoring lost habitat,” said Becky Benna, Five River MetroParks executive director, and CEO.
Employees from State Farm and students from Chaminade Julianne high school volunteered to plant the trees. Ohio Sen. Steve Huffman also participated in the tree planting.
“It looks like a barren warzone in person. I am glad they are replanting. It was really devastating,” said Nancy Peterson.
Peterson, a longtime resident in the area, frequents Wegerzyn for walks with her rescue dog Miah.
“The place that was destroyed, which really affected me, was near Sinclair Park. Miah and I walked through there almost every day. They lost, I believe, over 200 mature trees. Looks like a Sci-fi movie,” said Peterson.
Losing so many mature trees can be devastating to an area. Trees are an important feature in landscaping. They provide many benefits to the environment and overall health of the community.
- Trees help clean our air. Trees soak up and store CO2 naturally creating cleaner, healthier air. Trees planted on the roadside can reduce indoor pollution by 50 percent.
- Trees contribute to our health. Community forests save an average of one life each year. Workers with a view of trees report having less stress.
- Trees provide us with oxygen. One large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people. The Amazon Rainforest produces more than 20 percent of the world’s oxygen.
- Trees help clean our drinking water. Forested watersheds provide quality drinking water to more than 180 million Americans.
- Trees provide much needed cooling. They lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade. Shaded surfaces may be 20 to 45 degrees cooler than temperatures of unshaded surfaces.
- Trees help reduce the effects of climate change. They absorb carbon dioxide, removing and storing carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen back into the air.
- Trees help us save energy. Properly placed trees around buildings can reduce the need for air conditioning by 30 percent and can save 20 to 50 percent on heating energy.
- Trees benefit wildlife. They provide vital wildlife habitats.
- Trees help reduce crime. Less graffiti, vandalism and littering in outdoor spaces with trees with the natural landscape than in plantless spaces.
- Trees are a good investment of public dollars
- Trees increase property values. They aesthetically add value to the property.
- Trees can be enjoyed for generations.
Wegerzyn hosts several special attractions like the swamp forest, the Children’s Discovery Zone, a giant pedestal oak tree, a community garden, a Stillwater River trail, a formal garden, and the Marie All nature trail. Parking is free. Dogs are welcome at the park, they must be always on a leash. The park is located at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue in Dayton.
For more information contact Arbor Day Foundation, Wegerzyn Garden MetroPark.
Diane Sikora
Reporter