With a Tree City USA banner nearby, Mayor Salim Nice delivered a speech at the Arbor Day planting event on Oct. 21 at Luther Burbank Park to commemorate the opening of the new South Shoreline Trail and thank the dedicated volunteers who helped plant new greenery that day and embodied “the spirit of community and environmental stewardship.”

Also present were city councilmembers Wendy Weiker, Ted Weinberg and Craig Reynolds.

Nice noted that the revived shoreline is strengthened with improved salmon habitat and vital woody debris, and the upgraded trail will welcome visitors in all seasons, rain or shine. The project is made possible through the generous support from the 2019 King County Parks Levy and from the city’s grant partners: King County Wastewater Treatment Division, King Conservation District and King County Flood Control District.

The mayor also gave a nod of appreciation to the city’s Luther Burbank landowner partner, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

“As we plant today, we sow seeds for the future. Here’s to the beauty of nature and the power of unity,” Nice said.