Healthy Savannah Announces Tree Planting Ceremony Honoring Founder Dr. Otis Johnson
- Dr. Otis Johnson honored with a symbolic tree planting recognizing his lifelong commitment to community health.
- Healthy Savannah celebrates its founding vision of addressing health disparities and promoting health equity since 2007.
- Event features remarks by Armand Turner, city officials, and a dedication highlighting the Truman Linear Park Trail connection.
- The planted White Fringe tree is donated by the Savannah Tree Foundation and funded by Ben Chaffee.
- Participants invited to a free two-mile Healthy Walk along the Truman Linear Park Trail following the ceremony.
Community Invited to Celebrate Health, Legacy, and Local Stewardship on January 17, 2026
(SAVANNAH, GA) Jan. 8, 2026, Healthy Savannah, in partnership with the Savannah Tree Foundation, will hold a special tree planting ceremony in honor of its founder, Dr. Otis Johnson, at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Scarborough Sports Complex on Skidaway Road at Bona Bella Ave in Savannah. The honoree has been invited to deliver remarks, along with Healthy Savannah’s executive director, Armand Turner, and City of Savannah officials. After the brief ceremony, Healthy Savannah will lead participants in a two-mile Healthy Walk scheduled for 2:00 p.m, also in Johnson’s honor.
A former mayor of Savannah and a distinguished leader in public service, Johnson founded Healthy Savannah in 2007 to address health disparities and improve the well-being of residents.
“The tree planting ceremony serves as a living tribute to Dr. Johnson’s legacy and a symbol of hope for generations to come,” said Devin Frails, Healthy Savannah’s Physical Activity program manager. “I would not be here, doing what I do, without his vision and dedication.”
Since its founding in 2007, Healthy Savannah has fostered a culture of health by advocating for policies, programs, and environments that enable all residents to thrive. The organization has grown into a cornerstone of community health, partnering with 200+ local agencies and businesses, along with community stakeholders and residents, to promote active living, healthy eating, and health equity. Its initiatives have helped expand access to resources, improve public spaces, and inspire lasting change in neighborhoods throughout the city.
The 15-gallon White Fringe tree, provided by the Savannah Tree Foundation, is funded through the generosity of Ben Chaffee, a member of the Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council and garden enthusiast.
The community is also invited to participate in a Healthy Walk following the tree planting ceremony, departing from the Scarborough Sports Complex at 2:00 p.m. and following a two-mile section of the Truman Linear Park Trail before returning to the Complex. Both events are free and open to the public.
“Dr. Johnson has remained an active influence in elevating the health and well-being of Savannah’s priority populations,” said Turner. “His influence in the development of the Tide to Town urban trail system, and this portion, the Truman Linear Park Trail, serves as a reminder of a lifelong commitment to Healthy Savannah’s mission of creating accessible spaces that encourage walking, biking, and outdoor activity for people of all ages.”
In the event of inclement weather, please visit healthysavannah.org for any alternate plans.
ABOUT THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA / HEALTHY SAVANNAH REACH GRANT: In October 2025, Healthy Savannah announced continued funding of the CDC’s five-year, $3.8 million Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant, originally endowed in 2023. The funds, administered by Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia, support sustainable health equity for racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods, focusing on nutrition, physical activity and breastfeeding. Working with over 200 community partners, the Savannah/Chatham County team is advancing these goals through an “upstream” approach. Founded in 2007, Healthy Savannah was honored in 2022 with the CDC’s REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity. healthysavannah.org | ymcaofcoastalga.org
More information about this event can be found by contacting the media contact Marjorie Young at (912) 844-9990 or email marjorie@carriagetradepr.com. Additional information can be found at Healthy Savannah and an interview from WSAV-TV link.
