Central Elementary School Fifth-Grade Students Visited the Greendale Cabin for Arbor Day Activities

On Arbor Day this past Friday, Greendale’s own Linda Cromer welcomed fifth-grade students from Central Elementary School to the Greendale Cabin for a day rooted in learning, connection, and community. Students kicked things off by learning the proper way to plant a tree, then got their hands in the dirt as they took turns planting one together. 🌱

The group explored the deeper purpose of trees, visiting the Sycamore Sisters—a peaceful, sacred space filled with towering sycamores. Linda shared how trees can ground us, reminding students that while life can feel overwhelming, standing among trees can make you feel small in a meaningful, calming way. Through practices like forest bathing, students learned how simply pausing, breathing, and connecting with nature can ease the mind and body.

Inside, creativity bloomed as students made bird nesters using wood from a Greendale tree, embracing the city’s love for reducing, reusing, and recycling. They also decorated biodegradable pots as heartfelt Mother’s Day gifts.

A special thank you to Lowe’s for sponsoring seeds and trees, along with support from Walmart, Civista Bank, and Greendale Cinema.

The day also featured an Arbor Day poster contest (with awards for the top 3 posters), tree trivia (with candy for all!), and meaningful take-home bags filled with an Indiana Community Tree Selection Guide, seed fact sheets, and stormwater activity packets.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible, including Mayor Vince Karsteter, Becky Lyons, Alan Duncan, Lyndsey Marksberry, Natalie Wynn, Nathaniel Barrows, Robin Lewis, Randy Goodwin, and Jason Dell.

Arbor Day is a beautiful reminder that what we grow today shapes what is alive and around us tomorrow. 🌳

You can view the full album of Arbor Day 2026 photos on Facebook through the following link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.985518360489072&type=3