On Saturday, April 25, 2009, with summer-like weather, the Pittsburgh Sakura Project held the First Annual Tree Planting, Inaugural Ceremony and Work Party in North Park, in the vicinity of Shelter #91, Pearce. Mr. Andrew Beachle, Director of the Allegheny County Department of Parks, and Professor Asatoshi Maeshiro, of the University of Pittsburgh, welcomed the over 300 people who came to participate.
On this warm 80-degree day, 40 trees were planted according to the plans of landscape designers Mr. Rick Mercer and Mrs. Kary Arimoto Mercer, who donated their services. With the cooperation of the county parks department, thirty large, young trees were planted by professionals and 10 smaller young trees were planted by volunteers. Besides the work of planting, participants heard musical performances, headlined by world champion taiko drummers, Takumi Kato and Ryo Shiobara.

The purchase and planting of these trees was made possible by donations of both labor and money, given by many Japanese people as well as local friends of Japan. We offer our heartfelt gratitude to the many organizations and to the individual volunteers who contributed their time, sweat, and money.

Now, we are looking forward to next year’s Tree Planting and Work Party. To that end, we are soliciting donations to fund the purchase of trees, planting, and maintenance. Our non-profit status will receive final approval shortly, so your contributions will become tax-deductible.

To view photos of the event click here.
To view video highlights of the day, (.wmv) click here.
To view the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article, click here.

初夏を思わせる4月25日土曜日ノースパーク・シェルター#91 Pearce付近に於いて ピッツバーグさくらプロジェクト主催：第一回桜植樹会が Mr. Andrew Beachle ,Dir Dept. of Parks, Allegheny County 出席のもと ピッツバーグ大学、真栄城朝敏教授を来賓に迎え300名以上の参加者が集われ行われました。
当日は80度を超す好天に恵まれ、桜の若木30本が業者の手により植えられ、 若木10本がノース・パークの植樹デザインのボランティアをしている Mr. Rick Mercer,Mrs. Kary Arimoto mercer ,Landscape designerの指導の基に 郡公園課の方々の協力を得てボランティアの手で植樹されました。
苗木購入のためにの基金に多くの日本人親日家の皆様の御寄付、 御協力を頂い植樹の運びとなりましたが、 今回植樹会にあたり多くの企業団体より御協力を頂けた事及びボランティアの方々に 心より御礼申し上げます。
また来年の植樹会にむけて、植樹、管理の為の資金を広く皆様から募っております。 まもなくＮＰＯが設立されますので、皆様のご寄付は、税金控除になる予定です。