Freedom Park to honor Lewis with 300 trees

3-day volunteer planting planned for next month.

Congressman John Lewis may be gone, but he is not forgotten and his life and legacy is being honored with a flowering forest.

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is partnering with Freedom Park Conservancy and Trees Atlanta to create a living tree tribute to memorialize Lewis, who dedicated his life to public service, according to an announcement from the nonprofit designated as Atlanta’s Art Park.

In the first phase of a multiyear project, more than 300 blooming trees, flowering shrubs and fields of daffodils will be planted over the course of three days. The shrubbery was chosen for their early blooming in late winter — particularly about February — so they can blossom in celebration of the statesman and civil rights leader’s birthday annually. The project also honors Black History Month and Georgia Arbor Day on Feb. 19.

The volunteer effort is set for Feb. 19-21, the final day of which would have been Rep. Lewis’s 81st birthday.

Volunteers must register in advance at treesatlanta.org to plant trees on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

“Freedom Park has an important legacy in the areas of art, activism and nature, and this tree installation will honor John Lewis and allow us to reinforce his legacy for future generations,” Harriett Lane, Freedom Park Conservancy chair, said in a state- ment. “Today, John Lewis Plaza within Freedom Park is anchored by The Bridge, a work of sculptor Thorn- ton Dial, which represents Congressman Lewis’ lifelong quest for the advancement of civil and human rights.”

The fl o wering forest won’t end when the planting does next month. Over the course of five years, it will be extended with hundreds more blooming trees throughout Freedom Park. The flowering shrubs, including dogwoods, redbuds and magnolias, will tie together John Lewis Plaza, The Carter Center and The King Center.

“Congres s man Lewis sowed seeds of hope and equity. His life’s work was an undaunted fight for civil and human rights — without prejudice or exception,” National Center for Civil and Human Rights’ head of programs and exhibitions, Dr. Calinda Lee, said in a state- ment.