Honoring Parks & Rec’s arborists
An art exhibit in City Hall honors the hard-working and passionate men and women who care for our city's trees and forests.
The exhibit, titled "The Arborists of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation: Growing and Caring for Our Urban Forest,” can be found on the second floor of City Hall, outside the mayor's office.Â
The primary focus of the exhibit is a collection of portraits of Parks & Rec’s Urban Forestry Unit and Ecosystem Management Unit staff. Photographer Sabina Louise Pierce captured the special relationship between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation arborists, the trees they care for, and the tools of their trade.
In addition to the portraits, the exhibit includes:
a display case with information about the team’s work
examples of a custom soil mix from Greenland Nursery
lumber milled from trees felled by our staff in the park system.
The arborists of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation are charged with the growth and care of the city’s urban forest. This includes 10,250 acres of park land and 117,000 trees along the city streets.Â
Their work includes:
growing trees at Greenland Nursery in Fairmount Park
planting and caring for our young forest
removing dead and hazardous trees
These men and women are passionate, hardworking, and proud of the work they do to keep Philadelphia’s trees healthy and its citizens safe. Please visit City Hall before May 10th to see the portraits that honor these dedicated civil servants.Â
The arborists honored include (click on name to see portrait):
Lori Hayes
Max Blaustein
Joe Toohey
Dave Cupps
Ben Stanko
Erica Smith Fichman
Curtis Helm (retired)
Chris Johnson
Anthony Holiday
Sean Hubbard
Jose Melendez
Jose G. Melendez
Mark DeLoach
