A city official announced the planting of more than 35 trees along the bike path and around the new fire station headquarters as part of an Arbor Day effort to restore canopy lost in past river rechanneling and green-space projects. "But we're here to plant trees," the official said.

The official linked the local work to broader city-level climate thinking after returning from an international mayors' summit, saying lessons from that trip reinforced the value of street trees and parks. "So with this tree planting here in the city of Athens...many cities [are] planting street trees...which helps reduce or, sequester carbon," the speaker said, arguing that trees both sequester carbon and create shaded public space that can ease heat exposure for residents.

The official said a large number of Ohio University students were participating in the planting. Addressing those volunteers directly, the speaker urged them to remember the trees when they return as alumni and bring future generations to see the planting: "20 years from now, 40 years from now, if you come back ... you're gonna be able to bring your family, your littles here to this space, point to these trees and go, see these trees? I'll plant them back in 2025 in the city of Athens." The transcript records that message in that phrasing.

The speaker also described a broader, continuing restoration effort: "We planted 50 trees last weekend. We're planting 30 plus trees this weekend. And next year, you're gonna see a whole lot more trees being planted right here in our wonderful city of Athens, Ohio." Those counts appear in multiple places in the remarks; the city official used the three figures when describing recent and current plantings and plans.

Organizers framed the planting as both environmental and social-equity work: restoring trees removed during past infrastructure work along the Hocking River and creating shaded public areas for people during hot weather. The official said the effort reflects a continuing push to bring more trees and understory back into public spaces.

Officials did not specify the planting budget, exact tree species, or an implementation timeline for future plantings in the transcript. The event was presented as part of ongoing city-led canopy restoration with heavy volunteer support from Ohio University students.