ORANJESTAD (AAN) – Aruba Plants Trees at Camacuri Linear Park Ahead of National Clean-Up Day as the government continues its “Siembra Speransa” (Plant Hope) initiative to expand green spaces and beautify public areas across the island.
On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Mike Eman, together with Daryl Lue and the team from the Department of Public Works (DOW), planted a variety of trees and flowering plants in five landscaped planters at Linear Park in Camacuri, near Queen Beatrix International Airport.
The planting included eight Texas sage shrubs, ten bougainvillea plants in various colours, two jacaranda trees, and 16 additional plants, enhancing one of the island’s busiest corridors for motorists and pedestrians.
Prime Minister Eman said the five empty planters had long stood out to him whenever he travelled through the area.
“Every time I passed this road, I noticed the empty planters. Working closely with DOW, we made the necessary preparations so that we could finally complete this project together,” Eman said.
He explained that the Siembra Speransa campaign began more than a year ago with a small tree-planting project in Seroe Patrishi and has since expanded to include projects such as the Urban Pocket Park on Adriaan Lacle Boulevard, roadside green spaces, schools, and neighbourhoods throughout Aruba.
The Prime Minister thanked DOW, WEB Aruba N.V., and N.V. Elmar for their collaboration in preparing the site, installing irrigation systems, and providing electrical connections where required.
Combining Clean-Up and Tree Planting
Eman encouraged residents to combine participation in the National Clean-Up Day on July 25 with tree planting in their own communities.
He said that after cleaning a yard or neighbourhood and removing unwanted waste, residents should consider planting a tree to increase Aruba’s vegetation and improve public spaces.
“We can do more than simply clean. At the same time, we can beautify our neighbourhoods, homes, and communities. In this way, we all contribute to caring for Aruba,” he said.
Preparations Well Underway
Daryl Lue of DOW said preparations for the National Clean-Up Day are progressing smoothly, with daily coordination meetings involving all participating agencies.
According to Lue, supervisors and coordinators have been working together to ensure that logistics and operations are fully organized before the event.
“From DOW, we call on the community to help us make Aruba even better. A clean Aruba benefits everyone. We will do our utmost to support residents so that together we can enjoy a cleaner island for ourselves and our visitors,” Lue said.
Community Effort
Prime Minister Eman also thanked community organizations, businesses, government employees, volunteers, and local media for supporting the campaign and helping spread awareness.
He emphasized that National Clean-Up Day is about more than removing waste and planting trees—it is also about bringing communities together around projects that improve the island’s quality of life.
Eman said that if residents unite successfully around this year’s clean-up initiative, the same community spirit can be applied to future projects involving schools, parks, and other public spaces.
Free Clean-Up Materials Available
To support the July 25 campaign, several community centres will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including:
- Lago Heights Community Centre
- Brazil Community Centre
- Dakota Community Centre
- Playa Pabou Noord Community Centre
- Fundacion Centro Famia Piedra Plat
Residents can collect free garbage bags and other cleanup materials at these locations to assist with waste collection during Aruba’s National Day to Care for Aruba.
For more information, residents are encouraged to visit www.arubatanostur.com.
