City of Davenport, IA

04/26/2021 | Press release | Archived content

City and School District Plant Time Capsule of Hope and Kick Off Arbor Day Event

April 26, 2021 - City of Davenport and Davenport Community School District officials, along with students from Davenport Schools, will be planting hope this Friday, April 30 as they set a time capsule into the ground at Vander Veer Park at 6:00 p.m. This event kicks off a spring of tree planting and celebrating Davenport's 41-year legacy as a Tree City USA community.

The Time Capsule of Hope project began in October of 2020 to inspire hope in our community after facing several challenges in 2020, including COVID-19, civil unrest, and the derecho. Officials planted a tree in Vander Veer Park to symbolize planting hope in our community in a tangible way after the August 10 derecho damaged a significant amount of Davenport's urban canopy.

The City has 350 trees available that residents can request to be planted along street boulevards. Visit the forestry page to find out more about how to request a street tree.

"Davenport was named a Tree City USA community which symbolizes our commitment to management of public trees," said John Vance, Davenport's City Arborist. "Davenport has consistently been an example to other Iowa communities for our work to maintain and enhance our urban forest by recognizing the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations."

As part of the time capsule project, residents submitted their hopes for the future in the form of a video, painting, book, or several other creatives that demonstrate hope for our community. These items of hope will be planted in the time capsule with an intended opening in 2036 when Davenport celebrates its 200th birthday. Items being placed in the capsule have been archived by the Davenport Public Library.