Neighbors of Bristol Park gathered on Thursday to not only celebrate Arbor Day, but also to repair the damage done by high winds and disease by planting several trees at the park.

“We want to say thank you to you as a neighborhood, as a community, for recognizing that we were missing so many trees,” said Karen Packwood, Turlock’s Deputy Public Works Director. “There's a great need for trees in our community.”

Local residents Andy and Angie Dorsey had contacted the city a number of times over the past few years about trees that had fallen during big storms and others that collapsed. The city finally took action.

Packwood said that the city staff took a survey of the state of trees in all 27 of Turlock’s parks earlier this year and found that Bristol Park was in the greatest need of new trees at the present time.

The first Arbor Day was celebrated in 1872 in Nebraska. The City of Turlock has been recognizing the holiday dedicated to trees for at least the 24 years that maintenance superintendent Mike Murphy has been working for the city.

“On that first Arbor Day, Nebraskans came together and planted an estimated 1 million trees. They wanted a movement that would grow far beyond the state. That's quite a bit of trees, 1 million trees…a whole lot more than we're doing today,” said Murphy.

The overall benefits of planting trees were shared with those gathered by Turlock maintenance supervisor Art Padilla.

“Obviously, they collect carbon dioxide and they release oxygen. So, it's good for us, good for the air we breathe; climate regulation, water management and it helps with soil erosion,” said Padilla.

Trees can also help lower heating and cooling bills, as well as provide a wind and noise barrier for homes, according to Padilla.

Maintenance worker Angel Ortiz shared tips on the best way to plant trees and care for them.

“Before I got to the city, I didn't have much of a green thumb. If I'm being honest, I still don't have a green thumb, but I know to plant a tree, and I know to take care of it. Trees survive and they thrive when we give them the right support, especially in the early years,” he said.

Following the lesson on the best way to plant trees, the neighbors divided up into groups to help plant the 13 new trees making a home at Bristol Park — 10 Chinese Pistache, one elm and two cedar trees.

Andy and Angie Dorsey were among those happily lending a helping hand to plant a tree.

“We raised our kids in the park…so we stand to benefit from this as much as anyone,” said Andy Dorsey.

“And the shade will be just really great, especially when you're walking around it. The kids come and they practice here, and then the adults get to sit under the shade, which is nice. So, it's beneficial for everybody,” said Angie Dorsey.