BENTON HARBOR — A little rain didn’t keep about 20 volunteers from planting trees Monday at Abe Frank Park in Benton Harbor, sponsored by the PGA of America and its official printing company, Lexmark.
One of the volunteers was Carleton Brooks, president of the Benton Harbor Parks and Recreation Conservancy, who remembers playing in the park as a child.
“I grew up right across the street from here,” said Brooks. “This park has some sentimental value to me. I like to do anything I can to assist with trying to make our community better.”
He said it’s nice to see the park being beautified.
“Anytime organizations donate manhours, materials, plants, whatever it is to help the make the community a better place, it’s always appreciated,” he said.
Ryan Ogle, director of the 2018 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, said the PGA of America has partnered with Lexmark to plant trees at several championships over the years.
“It’s part of our efforts to offset any printing that is taking place at our championships,” he said. “We’re just hoping that we can give back to the community, but also practice sustainability efforts moving forward. … I think small efforts like this lead to change.”
The tree planting was coordinated with the Senior PGA Championship. Practice rounds start today, with the tournament beginning Thursday and running through Sunday at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor.
Ogle said the championship has stepped up its recycling efforts this year.
“We want to make sure we’re thinking of the community, we’re thinking about the environment and thinking about what we’re trying to leave here,” he said. “For us, our vision is to have a long lasting, positive impact in this community.”
Almost 20 large trees and several tree seedlings and shrubs were planted.
He said people at the championship will notice bins for plastic, aluminum and paper for recycling. He said they are also working with Levy Restaurants to make sure all food waste is properly disposed of and recycled.
“We hope to see great success in 2018 so we can build on it and do even more in 2020 and 2022,” he said.
Another volunteer was area resident Aaron Nesbitt and his two-year-old son, Ulrich Nesbitt.
“This is our park,” he said. “This is where he likes to play.”
Nesbitt said he regularly helps clean the park by emptying the garbage bins and picking up the trash. During Berrien County’s recent tire recycling event, he said he collected 91 tires from a one-block radius around the park, including about nine from the park.
“I keep collecting tires because they keep dumping them in the alley,” he said. “I get sick of seeing them and mosquitoes breed in them.”
Story and caption updated to reflect correct name of park.
Contact: lwrege@TheHP.com, 932-0361, Twitter: @HPWrege
