Irma Lemus
MAGNOLIA PARK -- Donating trees in memory of loved ones who have
recently passed away, said Marge Allen, is a great way of honoring those
loved ones while beautifying the city.
The 57-year-old Burbank resident was part of a group of about 200
community members and organizations honored for their green gifts
Thursday at the 45th Annual Plant-A-Tree Donor Awards ceremony at Verdugo
Park.
"I think it's a wonderful memorial for people who have touched my
life," Allen said.
The awards ceremony was also an opportunity to celebrate March Arbor
Month, as designated by the city, said Jan Bartolo of the Parks,
Recreation and Community Service Department.
"Planting trees will bring awareness to Arbor Month. These trees will
also honor members of the community," Bartolo said.
Eileen Cobos, chair of the Plant-A-Tree Committee, said the $12,000
raised this year will be used to purchase trees to be placed along the
Chandler Boulevard Bikeway project.
The nearly $2-million project will feature a bike path on Chandler
Boulevard from Clybourn Avenue to Hollywood Way, said Joy Tuncay, project
manager. Three miles of the bikeway and recreation area will be lined
with trees. It will continue as a designated street path that ends at the
Burbank MetroLink station, Tuncay said, adding that bikeway in scheduled
to open in fall 2001.
For Allen, who donated eight trees in honor of loved ones, the
ceremony was not a difficult one.
"I love doing this. I have also donated trees in honor of my
grandchildren. So it doesn't always have to be a sad occasion," she said.
