By Hank Beckman
Continuing La Grange Park’s long tradition of recognizing a local resident on Arbor Day, retired Village Police officer Don Barkell was honored with a tree planted in his name June 23.
The inscription on the plaque sitting next to the redbud sapling planted in his honor near the corner of Oak Avenue and Sherwood Road explains the honor — “Don Barkell — Always Sowing Seeds of Kindness.”
“This is a great honor,” Barkell said before being recognized by Village government.
He reminisced about the afternoon 45 years ago when, noticing his neighbor planting a tree in his yard, he decided to put to good use the extra sapling he had in his own yard.
Barkell transplanted the tree to the parkway near the Jewel Food Store. He then planted some more, and other residents did likewise. The trees are still thriving 45 years later.
“Not all are mine, but some are,” he said pointing to the area a short walk from where his new sapling was planted.
Barkell, 88, lives with his wife Joan a block from where he was honored. He served as a La Grange Park Police officer for 31 years before retiring in 1997.
One of his neighbors, Alexandria Zuck, is the daughter of his former neighbors on the same block. She nominated Barkell for the Arbor Day tribute, the second consecutive year she did so.
Zuck serves as a La Grange Park Park District commissioner, and is a member of the Board’s Arbor Advocates group, whose mission is to help foster the health of the Village’s tree canopy.
“He’s someone I bounce ideas off of,” she said reading the nomination for Barkell. “We consult with him.”
Arbor Day originated in 1872 and was the brainchild of newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska.
In order to promote awareness of the importance of trees, he proposed a tree-planting holiday — to be named Arbor Day — which resulted in about 1 million trees being planted in the Nebraska Territory that year.
The idea quickly caught on and spread to the rest of the country, with all 50 states now holding an official celebration.
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The Arbor Day Foundation’s official national celebration is the last Friday in April, but various states often mark the day in different months.
La Grange Park has been recognized by the Foundation as a “Tree City” for 34 years. In order to be given that honor, a town must meet four criteria; have a tree board or department, have a tree care ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry, and celebrate Arbor Day.
La Grange Park began the Village tradition of honoring a citizen on Arbor Day in 2004. Every year, the Village seeks nominations from the community, and Village staff then votes on which nominee to honor.
The Arbor Day Foundation’s official national celebration is the last Friday in April, but various states often mark the day in different months, usually due to various planting seasons.
While Don Barkell’s contribution to the care of trees fits nicely into the spirit of the Arbor Day celebration, the phrase that invariably comes up about him is his kindness.
“Whenever Don’s name comes up, it’s always associated with kindness,” Deputy Clerk Sandy Bakalich said.
Public Works Director Rick Radde, who grew up in La Grange Park, spoke of Barkell’s service on the Police Department, especially his work with young people.
Zuck echoed Radde’s sentiments.
“He’s always available to help people,” she said. “Anyone who puts a tree in the ground is looking ahead.”
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.