At 10 a.m. on April 16, 2016, cyclists and walkers are invited to gather for the planting of a special tree at the Nest at Kendall Yards followed by a ride down the Centennial Trail to plant another tree. These trees will mark the 300th and 301st trees planted in Spokane as part of a living memorial called the “Susie Forest.” “The Susie Forest is a living, growing, legacy to my daughter Susie and her commitment to creating livable communities,” explains Nancy MacKerrow on susieforest.com.
In 2002, Susie Stephens was working as a consultant for the National Center for Bicycling and Walking in St. Louis when she was killed by a bus as she legally crossed a street. Susie was a cyclist, activist, and educator. According to MacKerrow, Susie “loved the outdoors and especially the shade of trees.” With this in mind, MacKerrow planted a tree in honor of Susie which has since grown from a single tree to more than 500 trees worldwide.
In acknowledgement of the 300 trees planted here in Spokane, MacKerrow would like to see 300 cyclists at the Nest at Kendall Yards for the planting of the trees on Susie’s birthday. Walking or biking, come celebrate a life well lived and the commitment to a greener community. For more information visit susieforest.com.
