File photo.
Mayor Robert Garcia and Councilman Dee Andrews will help plant 20 trees at Jenni Rivera Park this Saturday, honoring the legacy of the late singer and Long Beach native as part of Mother’s Day and adding more green to the area, their offices announced this week.
The tree-planting will take place at 2001 Walnut Avenue at 10:00am on Saturday, May 7. It will be one of the first events scheduled along the “Trail of Infinite Hope,” a walking loop that connects several area parks and honors the city’s diverse cultures, according to a release from the mayor’s office.
“It’s always great to be able to plant more trees and add more green space to our city,” Garcia said in a statement. “It’s especially gratifying to do so in honor of one of our city’s most beloved daughters and her family.”
Rivera was an international Spanish singing sensation before her death in 2012. She was also known for her philanthropic efforts, such as the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation, which helps single mothers suffering from poverty, addiction and abuse. She is survived by five children.
“I am really excited to kick off the Trail of Infinite Hope with this tree planting in honor of Jennie Rivera and Mother’s Day,” said Councilman Andrews. “It is a great way to start the connection of the trail to the community that it celebrates”.
The event is open to everyone and volunteers are needed to help plant the trees. Jenni Rivera Park was opened last summer, and the trail was initiated in December, the release stated.