Consul-General Hisao Yamaguchi addresses the guests to the planting ceremony at Niagara Falls.[HOME]
A ceremony to commemorate the
donation of 105 trees to The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) was
held on June 24 on Roberts Street (Hwy. 420) in Niagara Falls.
Roberts Street, known the main gateway to the Falls themselves,
was chosen as a planting site for the high volume of tourists
who drive along this road throughout the year. Among those attending
the ceremony were Commission Chairman Jim Williams, Niagara Falls
MPP Kim Craitor, Regional Municipality of Niagara Councillor Anne
Angelone, Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake Gary Burroughs, City
of Niagara Falls Alderman Selina Volpatti, Sakura
Committee members and NPC staff.
Consul-General Hisao Yamaguchi with his wife, Chieko, along with Niagara Parks Commission Chairman Jim Williams inspect the buds on the tree.
"It is my understanding that this planting, at one of the most prominent gateways to Niagara Falls, is part of a redevelopment of the local area. It is my hope that Sakura trees will act as a welcoming presence to the Niagara Falls area," said Consul General of Japan and Sakura Committee Chair Hisao Yamaguchi. "One of the first donations of trees by the Sakura Project was the donation of 30 trees to the Niagara Parks Commission in 2001. I hope that this second planting will serve again as a reminder of the warm and fruitful relationship between Japan and Canada."
"In my opinion, there could
be no better location for this ceremony, and for these beautiful
trees, than here at this new gateway entrance that we have established
for Canada and Niagara," responded Mr. Williams. "These
Sakura trees will add to the beauty of this Gateway and it will
proudly serve as a symbol of the friendship and goodwill that
exists between our communities here in Niagara and the people
of Japan."
Buds appear ready to open on the ceremonial Sakura tree.
Landscaping work currently underway at the location, which includes the planting of the Sakura and other trees, shrubs and perennials, is expected to be completed by the end of October 2005.