Flat Rock moves Christmas tree to city park

Dean Cousino, The Monroe News
·1 min read
Vena's Nursery used a giant clamp to move a donated tree Tuesday morning from Seneca and Ypsilanti Sts. in Flat Rock to Community Park (above) where it was transplanted into the ground on the site of a former ice-skating rink and fountain.
Vena's Nursery used a giant clamp to move a donated tree Tuesday morning from Seneca and Ypsilanti Sts. in Flat Rock to Community Park (above) where it was transplanted into the ground on the site of a former ice-skating rink and fountain.
A driver for Vena's Nursery plants an evergreen on the site of a former ice skating rink and fountain in Community Park off Gibraltar Rd. in Flat Rock. The tree will be used for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony Dec 3. In the background are the historic Smith Hotel and Lang Wagar House that anchor the historic village.
A driver for Vena's Nursery plants an evergreen on the site of a former ice skating rink and fountain in Community Park off Gibraltar Rd. in Flat Rock. The tree will be used for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony Dec 3. In the background are the historic Smith Hotel and Lang Wagar House that anchor the historic village.

A 12-foot-tall evergreen tree donated by a local family was moved by Vena’s Nursery Tuesday morning to use for the City of Flat Rock’s Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony Friday.

The Belleville contractor hauled the tree from Seneca and Ypsilanti Sts. to Community Park and the site of the former ice-skating rink behind the library, where it was transplanted into the ground.

“The whole process took about an hour,” said Justin Danosky, director of the city’s Department of Public Services that is overseeing the project and helped remove concrete from the rink for the move.

The tree was decorated by a DPS crew for use at the city’s lighting ceremony that will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3 to kick off a three-day Winterfest celebration at Community Park located behind the Flat Rock Library.

The city is paying the firm $600, Danosky said. The city wanted to save money on buying a tree from outside the area and having it brought to Flat Rock, which could cost $3,000 to $4,000, he said.

The parade will kick off the festivities, which also include a visit by Santa Claus. The tree lighting and musical program in the park will feature performances by the Flat Rock High School Marching Band under the direction of Jim Engelbert, band director; the musical theatre department at Simpson Middle School under the direction of Ali Benore, and Sherry’s Dance Academy.

The tree was donated by Nancy Andrew in memory of her late parents -- Ken and Patti Wright, Danosky said.

“Her mother loved Christmas and bought the tree to decorate every year,” he said.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Flat Rock moves Christmas tree to city park