Photos by Rhonda Davis

BUCYRUS–The city celebrated Arbor Day this year with a look back at its “roots” and a glimpse of good things to come for the next 200 years.

The Bucyrus Tree Commission on Friday morning planted the first of 12 trees at Aumiller Park, each one representing the children of Samuel and Mary Norton, the city’s founders.

The plantings also coincided with Bucyrus’ yearlong Bicentennial.

“We certainly wouldn’t be here without the Norton family,” Mayor Jeff Reser said before the first white oak tree was planted in memory of Rensellaer Norton. “The sense of history, the courage they took to come here from Pennsylvania in a wagon train.”

Denny and Sue Ann Norton of Westerville, sixth-generation family members, were on hand for the occasion, shovels in hand. “We’ve been here for all the Bicentennial activities, and it’s been wonderful,” Sue Ann Norton said. “How exciting this is to see.”

The hole for another shade tree in memory of Louisa Norton was dug on the east side of the park’s footbridge at Norton Grove, the site of the two regal oaks planted in memory of her parents in 2019. The rest will line the driveway into the park from Gay Street.

The stately trees, which can grow up to 100 feet tall, are characterized by their large, beautiful canopies. “It’ll be an impressive entryway into the park off Gay Street once the trees mature,” said John Rostash, the city’s communications, and marketing director.

Reser told those gathered for the second Arbor Day in autumn event that a sign to “tell the story” has been ordered for the memorial site. A bench and concrete walkway will also be added, he said, as a testimonial to the Nortons and their legacy.

Tree Commission members on Friday also walked over to the opposite side of the footbridge where they planted three flame maple trees donated to the city by residents as memorials – all part of the ongoing project to “refoliate” Bucyrus and its parks.

A $25,000 donation from Bucyrus Railcar Repair is helping to fund the park project, Bicentennial chairman Kelli Patterson announced. For the fourth consecutive year, Bucyrus has also been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.