April 15, 2023

On Wednesday, April 12, at 9 a.m., Raytown Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) planted a Ginkgo tree at Kritser Park, 11707 E 75th Street, in celebration of Arbor Day and the City’s 20 years as a Tree City USA designation, which is a national movement that allows the Parks Department to expand its public trees.

“Arbor Day celebrates the future, not the past,” said Chuck Conner, MDC Community Forester. “There is a cornucopia of benefits from the cradle to the grave that comes with having a green environment and parks system,” he said. “It is my pleasure to recognize Raytown as a Tree City and a quality green parks system that the citizens can use that literally increases quality of life.”

This year’s tree planted at Kritser Park is a Ginkgo tree donated by John and Carol Abbott. The Ginkgo tree is a living fossil and hailed as one of the most distinct and beautiful of all deciduous trees. It was chosen for its shade, stunning yellow color in the fall and its hardiness – it can tolerate many urban conditions and establishes easily. When full grown, this Ginkgo tree will stand about 50 feet tall and 35 feet wide and can live as long as 3,000 years.