The City’s Public Works Department is hosting the 25th annual Tree Climbing Championships in Lake Ontario Park (map) from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, sponsored by Stihl Canada.
“We are proud to be hosting this event at Lake Ontario Park which showcases the beauty of Kingston’s trees and is the perfect backdrop for this celebration of the skills of the arborists, who maintain and grow our urban forest,” says David Swinton, Supervisor Public Works.
Ontario has more than 500 arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), which holds the Ontario Tree Climbing Championships in a different venue each September.
WHO’S TOPS IN TREES?
Come cheer on local and visiting arborists as they face off in tree-top challenges requiring strength, speed, ability and arboreal know-how, including:
- the work climb,
- the belayed speed climb
- the simulated aerial rescue,
- the foot-lock style rope climb and
- the throwline challenge.
The Master’s Challenge will feature the event’s top competitors and the crowned champions will go on to the 2014 International Tree Climbing Championship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Visitors to the event can also try the “Climb For All Ages” under the guidance of a professional arborist and check out displays on arboriculture courtesy of the ISA, dedicated to educating the public on the care and preservation of trees.
See the September 14 event listing at the City of Kingston website for more information. If you plan to get there by bus, check out the city’s Trip Planner page.
More information on the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Ontario website.
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Release source: City of Kingston | Photo: ISAontario.com
