Future Park to Feature Presidential Cherry Trees

Westerville Parks and Recreation staff will spend the fall and winter carefully nurturing precious tree cuttings to be planted at the new Shinto Shrine.

President William Howard Taft was famously known for bringing cherry trees to the United States. Presented as a gift from Japan, these trees were carefully planted by former First Lady Helen Taft on the White House grounds. Today, the trees are planted at the former home of President Taft in Cincinnati. The 27th president’s family chose to share with Westerville clippings of a cherry tree that overlooks the Taft home as a token of peace and new beginnings for the City’s endeavor.

“It is wonderful that Westerville is highlighting its desire to welcome people from other cultures to their city and to educate its citizens about them through their efforts to grow these cherry trees,” said Hope Taft, wife of President Taft’s great-grandson, Bob Taft. “Through their historical relationship to the ones planted by president and Mrs. Taft in Washington D.C., they illustrate the enduring relationship between the United States and the rest of the world.”

Westerville is the only city in the country to have clippings from this particular cherry tree.

"Cherry trees symbolize new life and renewal, which is fitting for the revival of the City’s Shinto Shrine," said Matthew Ulrey, Westerville Parks and Facilities Superintendent. "The restoration of Westerville’s shrine, which was moved to storage in 2004, brings new opportunities for the community to unite through moments of reflection."

For more Shinto Shrine updates and for additional cherry tree planting details, visit www.westerville.org/parks

Hope Taft shares a laugh with Parks and Facilities Superintendent Matthew Ulrey at the William Howard Taft National Historic Site.