Lakebottom Park is a popular destination for residents and visitors of Columbus, Georgia. The park offers a variety of amenities, such as playgrounds, tennis courts, walking trails, and picnic areas. But perhaps the most attractive feature of the park is its beautiful and diverse tree canopy, which provides shade, beauty, and habitat for wildlife.

However, the park’s trees are facing several threats, such as age, disease, storms, and development. Some of the trees are over 100 years old and need special care and attention to survive. That’s why Trees Columbus, a local environmental non-profit organization, has launched the Parks Project, a long-term plan to plant, preserve, and protect the trees at Lakebottom Park.

Trees Columbus was founded in 2000 with the mission of enhancing the urban tree canopy of Columbus. Since then, the organization has planted over 20,000 trees, enacted forestry educational programs, and engaged the community with tree walks and fun events. The Parks Project is one of their latest initiatives, which aims to support the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department’s vision for Lakebottom Park.

The Parks Project involves several steps, such as conducting a tree inventory and assessment, developing a tree management plan, implementing tree care and maintenance, and planting new trees. Trees Columbus also seeks input and feedback from the park’s neighbors and users, who value the park as much as the organization does.

One of the recent events that Trees Columbus hosted at Lakebottom Park was the Arbor Day Celebration, which took place on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. The event featured the participation of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other local youth groups, who helped plant 25 trees at the park. The event also included educational activities, such as learning about the benefits of trees, identifying different tree species, and making tree crafts.

The Arbor Day Celebration was part of the Trees Columbus Canopy Restoration Project (CRP), another extraordinary urban forest restoration initiative that the organization has developed for Columbus. The CRP aims to plant and maintain a healthier and more resilient tree canopy for the future generations.

Trees Columbus invites everyone to join their efforts to save the trees at Lakebottom Park and other areas of the city. The organization offers various ways to get involved, such as becoming a member, donating, volunteering, attending events, and spreading the word. To learn more about Trees Columbus and their projects, visit their website or follow them on social media.