By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The city of Hays has been named a Tree City USA for the 36th consecutive year. The honor will be recognized during the Arbor Day celebration April 16.

The Tree City USA program is a national program that provides the framework for community forestry management for cities and towns across America.

Communities achieve Tree City USA status by meeting the four core standards of maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.

The Tree City USA award will be presented by Bryan Peterson, Kansas District Forester, at the Hays Arbor Day celebration Thursday, April 16.

The program, presented by the Hays Beautification Committee, begins at noon in the Hays Dog Park, Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex, 1376 Highway 183 Alternate, where three Accolade Elm trees will be planted by Hays Parks Department employees.

Also to be presented are the Smokey Bear Poster winner awards by Brenda Slaughter, Prairie Garden Club.

The public is encouraged to attend.

For more information call the Hays Parks Department at (785) 628-7375.