Franklin City Park Board approves spring event dates, plans Liberty Tree plantings

The Franklin City Park Board voted to approve several park uses for spring events, including 5K runs on May 2 and May 9, Memorial Day activities at Youngs Creek Park on May 25, the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council event on April 26, and an Arbor Day Liberty Tree planting scheduled at multiple sites in late April.

The approvals were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote without a roll-call tally. Chair moved the procedural items through the meeting’s consent actions and the board recorded the motions as approved.

Holly, speaking for the Tree Advisory Committee, said invitations were sent by email and described the Liberty Tree plantings as part of a state initiative encouraging communities to plant trees. "We're excited about it," Holly said, and noted the committee plans four plantings: one at Youngs Creek Park, one at a pocket park across from the Al building, and two others during the same week. Holly said the trees will be marked with red, white and blue ribbons and that Franklin-area reporter Brian Traers is expected to run a story about the plantings that week. A board member, Tammy, volunteered to help dig holes for the trees.

The board clarified scheduling details during the discussion: the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council event will take place on Sunday, April 26, and the Liberty Tree planting for the Tree Advisory Committee is set for Saturday, April 25. Specific start times were discussed informally during the meeting; staff indicated a 10:00 a.m. start time was likely but said times would be confirmed by email.

The approved park uses cover both Youngs Creek Park and the Greenway Trail. The board did not attach special conditions to the approvals during the meeting. The next procedural step is regular follow-up coordination by parks staff and the Tree Advisory Committee to finalize times and volunteer assignments.