Pierson’s Nursery – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

At the suggestion of former Biddeford Mayor Michael Cantara, current Mayor Liam LaFountain organized an early Arbor Day celebration on Wednesday at the J.R Martin Community Center, where some third-grade students helped plant a tree in the new playground area.

According to event witnesses, the students from Ms. Lecler’s class literally dug in to the project with full enthusiasm

“We didn’t have to move any dirt, these kids were all over it,” said Jake Pierson, the owner of Pierson’s Nursery and a current city councilor.

Pierson Nurseries donated the Red Oak tree, and Councilor Pierson gave the students instructions and guidelines about how to plant and care for a young tree.

Though Arbor Day officially falls on April 24 this year, LaFountain said the event was scheduled early so that it would not conflict with this coming week’s school vacation.

Pierson noted that the Biddeford Public Works Department “pre-dug the hole ahead of time so the kids could focus on the planting safely.”

The Community Center is also the home of the Biddeford Recreation Department. Director Lisa Thompson and several members of her staff helped coordinate the event.

“Planting a tree is one of the best long-term investments a community can make,” LaFountain told the Gazette. “The shade, the cleaner air, the habitat it creates; all of it grows right alongside the kids who put it in the ground. This tree will be part of the Community Center’s new playground for generations.”

Michael Cantara served as Biddeford’s mayor from 1987 to 1989 before becoming York County District Attorney and then later appointed by Gov. John Baldacci to be a district court judge.

Cantara is now retired and lives at his Cherry Lane home in Biddeford.

LaFountain thanked the several city employees who helped coordinate the event.

“It was a real pleasure to work with Ms. Leclerc’s students, and see them take such pride in something their city and our residents will enjoy for years to come,” the mayor said.