FARMINGTON – Farmington officials and the town's Conservation Commission invite the community to an Arbor Day celebration at 3 p.m. Tuesday along the newly-rebuilt Church Street downtown.

Eight trees are being planted in the new granite curbside planters including hawthorns, river birches, honey locusts and a maple, all donated by local businessman, Richard Bjorn.

The road reconstruction project, funded in part by a Community Development Block Grant, widened the road, installed sidewalks, improved lighting and provided more parking. Local businesses will be improving the alleyways connecting Church Street to Broadway to encourage shoppers, visitors and employees to park in the municipal lot on nearby Anson Street and walk to downtown.

Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872. National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April but many states observe it on different dates according to their best tree-planting times.