NORTON - A spring groundbreaking is expected for a tricentennnial park for use during Norton's 300th birthday in 2011.

Several locations are being considered for the park, which would have one 20-foot-tall American elm "liberty" tree and five small ornamental trees and two granite benches, said Clarence "Butch" Rich, chairman of the Earth Day and Arbor Day committee.

Rich said he and selectmen Vice Chairman Robert Kimball Jr. are co-chairing the effort.

Town land at the intersection of North Washington and Newcomb streets appears the most promising, Rich said. A number of homes and condominiums are in the neighborhood, he said.

The park is part of a broader effort to make Norton greener in 2011, Rich said. An effort under way nationwide seeks to bring the American elm back from near extinction.

"We're trying to make this like everybody else in the country, a green celebration," Rich said. "We've taken down so many trees in Norton, and we don't replace them."

Organizers will distribute 1,000 seedlings in disposable containers in the Solmonese Elementary School parking lot during Earth Day and Arbor Day 2011, he said. Rich said the type of seedling will depend on what's available.

"All they have to do is take the container with the seedling in it and plant the whole thing," Rich said.

Organizers also will help the conservation commission with its annual stream cleanups.

The commission this week appointed members Kathleen Giblin and Christopher Baker to work with Rich, Kimball and Tree Warden Michael Tierney, Rich said.

Tierney said he will fund the park trees with part of a $15,000 National Grid hazardous tree mitigation grant.

The grant is funding 26 trees on South Worcester Street, and will support other efforts as well, he said.