Chapin Arbor Day celebration planned at Chapin Technology Park

The Chapin Arbor Day Foundation is hosting an Arbor Day celebration on Friday, December 2 at 11:00 am at the new Chapin Technology Park, located on Brighton Boulevard. There will be a tree dedication ceremony for the final sequoia trees that were sponsored by citizens, businesses and the Town.

The program will include an overview of Arbor Day’s observance over the years by the Chapin Garden Club, the progress of the Chapin Sequoias Standing Tall initiative and the dedication of four sequoias, two of which are honoring long-time Lexington County Council member Johnny Jeffcoat and his wife Pat. The foundation will also unveil the winning logo design from its logo contest, and there will be a reception following the ceremony at the site.

“Planting trees and beautifying our community are the primary goals of the Chapin Arbor Day Foundation, and we are excited to kick-off our efforts with this dedication ceremony that symbolizes a collaboration of many parts of our community,” said Gerald Meetze, president of the Chapin Arbor Day Foundation.

The Chapin Sequoias Standing Tall project was a community effort to build unity and enhance the environment through the planting of sequoia trees around the town. Last year on Arbor Day, markers were placed at 31 trees that had been planted around Chapin, including Chapin High School, Crooked Creek Park, Chapin Town Hall, St. Francis Thrift Shop, Chapin United Methodist Church, St. Francis Episcopal Church and several private residences.

Participants in the Chapin Sequoias Standing Tall included long-time tree enthusiasts and Chapin Arbor Day Foundation board members Lill Mood and James Bryan of Botanica Nursery as well as students in the Academic Leadership Academy at Chapin High School who helped plant and water trees and students from the Center of Advanced Technical Studies which made the markers placed by each tree. The markers and trees have been numbered to create a map that residents and visitors to the area can use to visit the trees as they grow and get bigger over time.

Next on the Arbor Day Foundation’s to-do list is refreshing the green space located adjacent to Beaufort Street and the railroad tracks, which the group hopes to rename Chapin Square. Updating the landscaping, adding new signage and lighting as well as relocating the Chapin Sunrise Rotary Clock are part of the group’s plans for that area, and donations to assist with that project can be made to payable to the Chapin Arbor Day Foundation and sent to PO Box 183, Chapin, SC 29036. “I hope people will consider making a gift in honor of their loved ones or friends for the holidays and help us make a positive impact in our town,” Meetze added.

In addition, the foundation had planned to host a fundraising luncheon after the Arbor Day ceremony but has decided to postpone that event until after the first of the year. “With the holidays fast approaching and scheduling conflicts with some of our key organizers and participants, we decided it was best to reschedule in the New Year,” Meetze explained. “We will let everyone know when the new date is finalized, and I thank everyone for their patience and support.”