NFL Plants Tree in Montclair Park

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. (third from left) joined with the National Football League, New Jersey Tree Foundation and Brookdale Park Conservancy for a ceremonial tree planting on April 11. 

The tree planting was the last official act of the NFL's Super Bowl XLVIII Committee and passed the ceremonial shovel to Arizona, which is hosting next year's big game. This year, a lacebark elm was planted in Essex County Brookdale Park and in Arizona to link the two host sites. Four dogwood trees were also planted. 

With the county executive are (from left) Jack Groh from the NFL, Essex County Parks Director Dan Salvante, Brookdale Park Conservancy President Mollie Smith, New Jersey Tree Foundation Executive Director Lisa Sims and Rich Petriccione, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Relations with the NY/NJ Super Bowl Committee. It is significant to note that the Super Bowl SLVIII Committee began its New Jersey/New York campaign in May 2013 when it planted an oak tree in Essex County Weequahic Park and ended its mission in Essex County Brookdale Park.