File photo GOING GREEN – City of Weirton officials have been distributing tree saplings, provided by MonPower's Green Team, in recent years in observance of Earth Day. This year, a variety of activities will be held at Marland Heights Park on April 25 as part of the celebration, to include the distribution of up to 200 saplings.

WEIRTON — City of Weirton officials are working with community volunteers to make the city a little greener in observance of Earth Day.

The city, along with the Brooke-Hancock Family Resource Network, Weirton Parks, FirstEnergy and others, is planning an Earth Day celebration from noon to 2 p.m. April 25.

“It’s going to be at Marland Heights Park,” Assistant City Manager DeeAnn Pulliam said. “There will be tables with Earth Day activities.”

The event will include the distribution of up to 200 tree saplings, provided by MonPower’s Green Team, including cranberry viburnum, eastern redbud, pin oak, tulip poplar and white oak. The saplings will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with one per family.

Rita Hawkins, resource and training specialist for the Brooke-Hancock FRN, said there will be several Earth Day-themed activities, with a focus on youth but open to all ages. The activities will be set up as a trail along the park’s pathways.

Activities will include face painting provided by local Girl Scouts, a make-your-own trail mix station operated by the FRN’s Parents as Teachers program, and a smoothie bike station featuring a blender connected to a stationary bike, allowing participants to make smoothies by pedaling.

“Our staff is going to be working it,” she said.

Hawkins said additional activities, including a nature-themed scavenger hunt, are also being planned.

Ward 5 Councilwoman Brittany Holloway, whose ward includes the park, said she is pleased to see events like this taking place there.

“I love to see all the activities at Marland Heights Park,” Holloway said.

There is no charge to attend the Earth Day event.

This will be the second year the city has organized the event, which was inspired by the MonPower Green Team’s distribution of saplings for community planting in 2024 and again in 2025.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com

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