BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON -- With the fountain water flowing, it’s now time for some extensive tree work in the village park.

In all, 12 trees are scheduled for removal with 24 new trees to be planted later in the fall.

To commemorate the event and to inform the public, two “Greet the Green” events will be held Thursday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. Attendees are asked to meet at the fountain.

“With the restoration of the fountain in the village park now complete, efforts are underway for the second phase of the larger endeavor to improve and preserve this community resource,” stated Rev. Michael Catanzaro, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church and chair of the Canton Park and Fountain Fund. “In early fall, work will begin to prune, fortify and enhance the growth of 48 trees in the park, as well as the removal of 12 trees which are dead, dying or will eventually succumb to disease or predation. In late fall, up to 24 new trees, representing a variety of native species to enhance the overall forest diversity and health, will be planted.”

At the “Greet the Green” events, results of the tree survey will be distributed and a walk-through of the park will highlight work to be undertaken. From there, the full tree survey, park map and replanting plan will be put on reserve at the Canton Free Library, and posted online on the Village of Canton website - www.cantonny.gov .

The tree project will be led by the St. Lawrence County Department of Soil and Water who conducted the tree survey; undertaken by support from the Village of Canton and paid for by a grant from the New York State Department of Conservation Urban and Community Forest Program with required matching funds provided by the Town of Canton.

“As a treasured resource which is shared and enjoyed by the entire community, the First Presbyterian Church and the Canton Village Tree Committee invite attendance to these two events,” Catanzaro said.