The Arlington Parks and Recreation Department invites Arlington residents to grab their fishing poles and shovels and help celebrate Arbor Day.

Arbor Day is 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 21 at Lake Arlington’s Richard Simpson Park, 6300 W. Arkansas Lane. This free Arbor Day and Kid Fish event will include fishing, games, prizes and refreshments. Additionally, each child will take home a Live Oak or Desert Willow tree donated by the Texas Forest Service.

"We would like for this to be the first year to start an annual event celebrating Arbor Day," said Urban Forestry and Land Manager Stacy Baldwin. Arbor Day developed as a national holiday for the purpose of planting trees and raising awareness about trees.

During the event, information about tree planting and Arbor Day will be available from the Texas Forest Service. Booths and carnival games will also be set up.

Fishing competitions will occur from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and trophies will be awarded for the largest catch in two age group categories: Six and under and seven to 15 years-old. Participants in the fishing competitions are required to bring their own poles and supplies. Arlington’s Arbor Day & Kid Fish event will also include an Awards Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. when the Texas Forest Service will present two awards to the City of Arlington.

"We will be receiving the Tree City USA award for the sixth consecutive year and the Forestry Growth award for the third year," Baldwin said.