The day before Father’s Day, a group of fathers and their young children gathered at Brown Drive Park to plant a large oak tree.
It was a fun activity for members of the Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In Program to participate in to celebrate Father’s Day and give something back to the community, but the good feelings from the tree planting didn’t last very long, as the tree was chopped down two days later.
Members of the Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In Program, which runs out of the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association, had raised money to buy the tree and decided to plant it at Brown Drive Park right before Father’s Day so that it will provide shade for families playing at the popular park.
The group received a good deal on the tree from Green Thumb Garden Centre in Nanaimo, and the Town of Ladysmith agreed to look after irrigation.
But, just days after planting the tree, the group found out that it had been chopped down Monday, June 16 some time between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.
The good news is that Green Thumb Garden Centre donated a larger red oak tree to replace the one that was chopped down, and Town of Ladysmith Parks supervisor Glen Britton agreed to plant it.
“We’re definitely disappointed it got chopped down because the kids were so involved in planting it, and we fundraised for it,” said Ladysmith Dads’ Drop-In Program facilitator Dale Gisborne. “The guys were pretty upset, and even the whole community was. The guys are in good spirits with the fact that there will be another tree there.”
The Dads’ Drop-In Program will continue fundraising so that it can buy a plaque to go with the tree.
The program is a drop-in event for dads and their children that takes place Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association. Breakfast is served, followed by discussions and fun activities.