On May 20, 2016, the City celebrated Arbor Day by planting a valley oak in Fremont Park. This tree’s selection honors Menlo Park’s new sister city, Galway, Ireland. The valley oak is a close cousin to the majestic Irish oak trees, which have leaves with wavy, lobed edges and can reach heights of more than 80 feet when mature. The valley oak is a California native tree adapted to Menlo Park’s drier climate. The tree planting signified Menlo Park’s 16th consecutive year as a Tree City USA. The Arbor Day Foundation recognized the City’s high standard of tree care and innovative projects with a Growth Award for the third year in row.


Allan Bedwell, Catherine Carlton, Kirsten Keith, Scott Marshall, Janelle London