The trees in Library Park are important in so many ways. They provide essential shade for our programs and storytimes, particularly during the pandemic when indoor storytimes were cancelled. The new playground was designed with input from Old Town Library staff, who noted the significant connection that libraries and books share with trees. The playground graphics intentionally represent trees on the stacked books that community kids climb and play on.
The library has collaborated with the City’s Forestry department to provide some amazing programming in Library Park – we’ve had a guest arborist read to children at Community Hero Storytime, the Forestry Department has participated in the annual Touch-a-Truck event, and they have even given a tree climbing demonstration! Basically, we love trees and their caregivers here at the library!
By Katie Auman
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An Arboretum in Fort Collins
Arbor Day is coming up on Friday, April 30 and we are excited to celebrate trees everywhere! But let’s bring the celebration a little more local for now…specifically to Library Park, which surrounds the Old Town Library. Did you know that Library Park is designated as an arboretum in Fort Collins? It is made up of many special trees, including a Giant Sequoia, 100-year-old memorial oaks, and more.
In 2018, Eileen McCluskey, Library Manager at Old Town Library, worked with the City of Fort Collins Forestry department and Neighborhood Services department to plan a Tree Festival celebrating the trees in Library Park. As part of the planning for the festival, Molly Roche, Senior Forestry Coordinator with the City, worked with a library volunteer, Sara H., to inventory the Library Park arboretum and input information about each tree into a website called the Colorado Statewide Tree Inventory Tool.
This online tree inventory and mapping tool is used by Colorado foresters and arborists to record and visualize the location, species, and condition of the trees that make up Colorado’s urban forests.
The Tree Festival in 2019 included a guided walking tour, led by former City Forester Tim Buchanan, of the unique, historical and notable trees located in Library Park. Next time you’re wandering around the library look for the Giant Sequoia and three bur oaks planted in 1919 in tribute to soldiers lost in World War I. You’ll also find a Green Ash that is the 3rd largest in Colorado and a Colorado State Champion Red Elm tree. There are memorial trees planted in honor of local community members, too. Check out this Notable Tree Tour of Fort Collins put together by the City, to learn more.
The trees in Library Park are important in so many ways. They provide essential shade for our programs and storytimes, particularly during the pandemic when indoor storytimes were cancelled. The new playground was designed with input from Old Town Library staff, who noted the significant connection that libraries and books share with trees. The playground graphics intentionally represent trees on the stacked books that community kids climb and play on.
The library has collaborated with the City’s Forestry department to provide some amazing programming in Library Park – we’ve had a guest arborist read to children at Community Hero Storytime, the Forestry Department has participated in the annual Touch-a-Truck event, and they have even given a tree climbing demonstration! Basically, we love trees and their caregivers here at the library!
By Katie Auman
Keep Exploring
Explore ways to avoid reading decline for your child while fostering their love for reading with library resources.
Learn more about the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s gift to Poudre Libraries.
Explore a curated list of how to kick off 2026 with your Library!
Learn more about changes in the library industry and their impact on getting newly published books into reader’s hands.
Spark joy with a book that sparks imagination, a program that inspires creativity, and more.
Explore a variety of books for all ages from Indigenous authors in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
Explore the space to be delighted at Poudre Libraries. Enjoy unexpected activities, fun events, and the unexpected.
Support college students and Harmony library users for Colorado Gives Day 2025 through Poudre River Library Trust.
Find your joy at the space to be happy.
Share your culture at the space to be bilingual.
Discover new worlds at the space to be a reader.
Discover the space to be joyful.
Spark your imagination at the space to be curious.
Spark new dreams at the space to be imaginative.
Celebrate Banned Books Week and your freedom to read whatever you choose with events at Poudre Libraries!