Published April 13 2015
Bellevue's trees, pool and new golf course driving range will all be celebrated with events on Saturday, April 18. Arbor Day-Earth Day is an annual rite here in "Tree City, USA." Plus, it is "April Pool's Day" at the Bellevue Aquatic Center and there is a grand opening for the new two-story driving range at the Bellevue Golf Course.
Arbor Day-Earth Day
Arbor Day-Earth Day will mark the city's 24th year recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The event will include volunteer projects, a tree-planting ceremony and family festival.
- Family Festival: Local environmental stewardship organizations will host ranger walks, ecological demonstrations and other free activities, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center, 5808 Lakemont Blvd. All ages are welcome.
- Ceremonial Tree Planting: Also at the Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center, the public is invited to join park rangers and elected officials at an 11:30 a.m. ceremony celebrating trees and recognizing important volunteers and community groups.
- Volunteer tree-planting and parks improvements: Although registration is now closed, up to 300 people are registered to plant trees, restore trails, remove invasive plants and otherwise help improve parks and open spaces, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Driving Range Grand Opening
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can check out the new, double-decker driving range at the Bellevue Golf Course, 5500 140th Ave. NE. Festivities will include free golf clinics for beginners, juniors and ladies; a club demonstration, putting challenge and hole-in-one contest; hourly prize drawings; and a barbecue and wine tasting.
April Pool's Day
The Bellevue Aquatic Center, 601 143rd Ave. NE, will promote water safety and proper life-jacket use, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Come for raffles and water safety demonstrations. All ages are welcome. Children 12 and under swim for free; ages 13 and older, $6.75. For more information, contact Scott Armstrong at sarmstrong@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-4444; or Patrick Simmons at psimmons@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-4444.