There’s a little more protection from the sun and the wind at the new Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex in Hays, thanks to the Hays Area Young Professionals.

What started as a plan to plant just one tree on Earth Day grew into a large fundraiser this past spring, enabling the group to purchase more than 100 trees.  They planted  74 trees April 21st with help from the Hays Parks Department, Hays Recreation Commission and other volunteers.

Thursday morning H-A-Y-P was recognized and thanked with a ribbon cutting and plaque mounted on the soccer field concession stand wall.

More trees will be planted during the next 3-4 years and eventually surround the entire sports complex.

The trees, including crab apple and cherry, were purchased from Hays Greenhouse and Riedel’s Garden Center.

See more tonight Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.