More than three dozen community members of all ages, along with school district staff and friends, brought wheelbarrows, shovels, and good cheer to Wildwood Elementary School Oct.4 to plant trees and celebrate the successful completion of the new Wildwood Natural Playground.

The playground, envisioned by MAGI and made possible by visionary school leaders and generous donations from community members through the Mahtomedi Area

This little girl and the tree she helped plant will have a chance to grow together on Wildwood Natural Playground

Educational Foundation, was installed earlier this fall. The MAGI-led tree-planting project provided community members with an opportunity to sponsor individual trees to add shade and beauty to the play area, which will open next spring. Students from the Mahtomedi High School Fab Lab created leaf-shaped dedication tags for donors to have as a small thank you gift.

All told, participants planted 27 trees donated by generous community members. Species included:  hackberry, ancestry oak, bur oak, basswood, redbud, ginkgo, Japanese tree lilac, Dakota pinnacle birch, and several varieties of maples and elms. Though the day was chilly, families and individuals rose to the occasion, digging holes, enriching the soil, planting the trees and hauling water to give them a good start.

Refreshments were served — cider, apple turnovers, and apples from Pine Tree Apple Orchard. A big thank you to MAEF for providing these treats to keep participants warm and fueled!

Make sure it’s straight!

Family members plant prepare a hole for the tree they sponsored.

Along with trees, participants planted memories to last a lifetime.

Right side up and everything!

Teamwork made the day.

A job well done!