City to announce April 18 ‘Arbor Day in Commerce City’

COMMERCE CITY – Join city officials in celebrating Arbor Day on Saturday, April 18 and get a preview of improvements to the Prairie Gateway Open Space.

Council Member Jason McEldowney will announce April 18 as ‘Arbor Day in Commerce City’ during a morning ceremony at the Prairie Gateway Open Space, just north of the Civic Center. As part of the celebration, Commerce City will receive a Tree City USA award, its 18th consecutive honor. The award is given by the National Arbor Day Foundation.

The public is invited to participate in the celebration, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Prairie Gateway Open Space, off of Prairie Parkway and Gateway Road.

This 190-acre open space will officially open to the public in early summer. The site will include a 2.4-mile soft-surface perimeter trail, an overlook area with fantastic views of the mountains and the Denver skyline, shelters, benches, a restroom and trailhead parking. The perimeter trail will connect to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Perimeter Trail, which opened last summer.

Arbor Day attendees will receive seedlings and other items at the event. The city is donating these items to promote interest in tree planting and care throughout the community, including residential areas and city-owned parks, trails and open spaces.

For more information about the Arbor Day celebration, call (303) 227-8788.