If you enjoy using the Vita Course in Byrd Park, consider giving back by helping to plant new trees around the course. Volunteers will gather at 9 a.m. on Sat., Jan. 23 to help plant 20 new trees around this popular exercise course in Byrd Park.

The trees are being provided by the Friends of William Byrd Park, a citizen’s group that helps care for the park.

The holes in which the trees will be planted will be dug in advance. Volunteers will receive instruction on how to plant the trees correctly so that they will grow and thrive. The project is expected to be completed by noon or perhaps earlier.

The tree planting is a joint effort of the Friends of William Byrd Park, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, the Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation, and the Department of Public Works. It is the first of a multi-year project planned by the Friends group to plant trees around the Vita Course to increase the shade canopy.

Anyone interested in giving a few hours of their time to help beautify the Vita Course is encouraged to meet at the entrance to the course on Trafford Road at 9 a.m. Bring work gloves, and if you have them, shovels, rakes and wire cutters.

For more information, call (804) 971-3646.

– The information above was provided by Christy Everson with the City of Richmond