Hoosiers who want to view cherry blossoms along a capital-city waterway don’t need to go to Washington, D.C. This week, cherry trees are in bloom along the White River in White River State Park.
A gift from Japan, Yoshino cherry trees were given to Indianapolis and other American cities in 2012 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the cherry trees that have come to define spring in our nation’s capital. Locally, the trees were kept in a nursery until last year so they could mature before being planted.
The 52 Yoshino cherry trees were planted on the west bank of the White River east of the Indianapolis Zoo by staff and volunteers from the Japan-America Society of Indiana, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and White River State Park to symbolize the ongoing friendship between Indianapolis and Japan.
“The cherry blossoms are such a lovely icon of spring in D.C.,” said Carolene Mays-Medley, executive director of the White River State Park Development Commission. “I encourage everyone to check them out right here in our own backyard.”
SOURCE: White River State Park