WARREN — Volunteers gathered at Burbank Park on Friday to celebrate Arbor Day by planting 30 trees as part of a long-term effort to increase Warren’s urban tree canopy and address environmental challenges.

Lydia Lynch, health and wellness coordinator for Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, explained the significance of the event.

“We’re planting trees here in Burbank Park as an effort to add more shade, especially for kids playing on the playground,” Lynch said. “This is going to provide extra drainage for the park, especially in the city, where we’ve seen a lot of storm water issues.”

The effort was supported by Councilman Andrew Herman, D-2nd Ward, who serves as the Arbor Commission’s committee chair.

Warren Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert attended the event and presented a formal city council resolution recognizing Arbor Day. The proclamation outlined the city’s reforestation goals, noting Warren’s urban canopy coverage stands at 28%, with plans to exceed 30% by 2030. The resolution highlighted multiple benefits of urban trees, including improved air and water quality, reduced energy costs and better stormwater management.

The planting featured three native Ohio species: crabapples, dogwoods and redbuds.

“They flower beautifully,” Lynch said of the selections. “They’re really tiny now, but they’re gonna probably get pretty big in about 15 years.”

The smaller ornamental trees were strategically placed throughout the park, while 10 larger specimens — including oaks and tulip poplars – will be installed near playground equipment to provide shade.

Sean Knepper, forestry specialist with the Trumbull County Soil & Water Conservation District, detailed the scientific considerations behind the planting.

“We needed to make sure that the trees are going to be in the best spots possible when it comes to drainage,” Knepper said.

He noted the crabapples would provide food for wildlife, while the dogwoods and redbuds would support local pollinators with their white and red flowers.

The event marked the revival of Warren’s Arbor Commission, which Lynch described as “a group of community members, community leaders, that are really focused on helping the city decide on what trees to plant and where.”

The commission was inactive before being restarted in the fall. Friday’s planting represents just the beginning of a larger initiative.

According to the Warren City Council resolution, Warren plans to plant 1,250 shade trees over the next five years through a USDA Urban and Community Forestry Grant. TNP alone is coordinating the planting of 170 trees this spring through its Mahoning Valley Tree Corps program.

Community involvement remains central to the effort. Lynch encouraged residents to attend bi-monthly Arbor Commission meetings or participate in future plantings.

“We’re doing another planting in the fall,” she said, noting the group also plans educational programs with local schools. The Arbor Day celebration coincided with another community initiative — a citywide cleanup event held Saturday involving 25 volunteer groups. Together, these efforts represent Warren’s growing focus on environmental sustainability and neighborhood improvement.

As Knepper observed while demonstrating proper planting techniques, the young trees may appear small now, but they represent an investment in Warren’s future.

“They’re easily maintainable,” he said of the selected species, noting their suitability for urban environments while still providing ecological benefits.