PANAMA CITY — The city announced new dates for its tree giveaway on Friday.
With support of a $1 million grant, the city intends to give trees to residents in an effort to restore the area’s urban canopy that was mostly destroyed during Hurricane Michael in 2018.
Panama City will hold an event in each ward on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the below locations and dates.
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Jan. 18: McKenzie Park, at Park Street and East Oak Avenue.
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March 22: Daffin Park, 320 N. Kraft Ave.
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April 26: Oaks By The Bay Park, 2715 W. 10th St.
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May 24: Glenwood Farmers Market, 600 E. 15th St.
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Oct. 18: H.D. Mathis Park, 3315 Florida Ave.
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Nov. 15: Oaks By The Bay Park, 2715 W. 10th St.
Each household can claim two free trees per giveaway.
Readers looking to walk away from the events with a tree must be a Bay County resident and fill out a registration form. A release from the city says these could be filled out at the event, however proactive residents can register online beforehand on the website — https://www.panamacity.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=653.
When the 2025 tree giveaway events begin this month, the city is slated to have trees such as red maple and Sweet Bay magnolias. They say that they will have different varieties of trees available at the events depending on the season.
The money for the giveaway comes from an Inflation Reduction Act Urban and Community Forestry grant. The grant provides a total of 15,632 trees. The release from the city says 15,000 treeswill be given away to Bay County residents over the next five years, with 3,000 trees distributed each year. The remaining trees will be planted on city property across the area.
The city says restoring the tree canopy will benefit both local residents and wildlife, and the giveaways are an opportunity to assist in the area’s environmental recovery while enhancing homes and neighborhoods.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City initiative will give away free trees to local residents