BENTONVILLE [KFSM] - Starting at 9 a.m. more than 200 volunteers helped plant a wide variety of trees as part of the city's second annual Tree Planting Blitz.
Workers planted over 1,000 trees last year for this event, and Community Development Director Troy Galloway said the event was so well-received by residents that the city decided to do it again this year.
Over 700 trees were planted all around Bentonville, including on S. Walton Blvd., at Lincoln Junior High and the Elm Tree ball fields. Galloway said the parks department has planted 200 trees in the last few weeks.
"One of the things we want to do is we want to create a place where people want to live, where they want to do business and where they want to recreate," Galloway said.
A tree expert was on site to help volunteers properly plant the different varieties of trees, including willow oak and maple trees. Galloway said the goal was to plant trees that would create shady spots for residents to enjoy.
The city is also giving away 150 trees to Bentonville residents on Nov. 1. For more information on how to get a free tree, click here.
The program is a partnership between the city, Walmart and area contractors, and is a part of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful initiative.