Palatine preschoolers plant tree, unveil ‘Little Library’ for Arbor Day

Raindrops didn’t deter Salt Creek Park District preschool students as they celebrated Arbor Day with a tree planting at the Rose Park Community Center in Palatine.

Bad weather rolled in just before 12:30 when the ceremonial planting of a red oak was planned to start, causing a frantic scurry to find umbrellas, raincoats and boots.

Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz, was on-site to help with the planting.

On the first Arbor Day held April 10, 1872, Nebraskans planted more than one million trees. Arbor Day became a legal holiday in 1885 with an official date of April 22 (the same as Earth Day) but later was moved to the last Friday in April,

While Arbor Day focuses on planting and appreciating trees, Earth Day emphasizes broader environmental awareness and action. The latter was first held on April 22, 1970, and now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.

The park district on Friday also unveiled its new “Little Library,” installed outside of the Rose Park Community Center.