Cranberry Noon Rotary members, from left, Bill Hewett, Deborah Marshall, Shavonne Ayres, Linda Clautti, Hank Anna and Ken Hricz planted trees in the township's Graham Park on Wednesday.

CRANBERRY TWP — In an effort to further beautify the park and give back to the community, the Cranberry Rotary clubs are going green.

The Cranberry Sunrise and Noon Rotary clubs planted four Japanese silk lilac trees Wednesday afternoon along Brush Creek Trail in Graham Park behind Field A.

“Rotary is about service,” said Linda Clautti, Cranberry Noon Rotary secretary. “This is just one of many things.”

The township selected the Japanese silk lilac trees because they are low maintenance and flowering, said Kathleen McCaig, township planning specialist. The trees will grow up to 20 feet in height and 20 feet in spread, she said.

“It adds a little diversity,” McCaig said.

Since the trail was expanded two years ago, community groups have approached the township about ways to continue to improve it. In addition to the Rotary clubs' trees, Girl Scouts have installed birdhouses and Boy Scouts have placed environmental signs, McCaig said.

“If people want to volunteer and give back, they can reach out to us,” she said.

To volunteer, call the township at 724-776-4806.

Platinum award contender

The Noon Rotary also is in the running to win the Platinum Club Award in District 7280, competing against the eight other clubs.

The club will be judged on membership, humanitarian service, public image, online tool adoption and district participation.

The club must have a certain number of members under the age of 40, engage in projects with other Rotary clubs and participate in service projects, such as planting the trees in Graham Park.

While winning awards is nice, for the Cranberry Rotarians, members say it's all service to the community.

“We try to do as much as we can here in the community,” said John Marshall, Rotarian and past Cranberry Noon Rotary president.