About 140 trees will be moving into the city, thanks to a grant and several volunteers.
Lebanon Parks, Trees and Trails Committee Member Linda Zeidrich reported during the Jan. 21 meeting that American Forest, in partnership with Weyerhaeuser, will host a tree planting party with Weyerhaeuser employees as part of a grant-funded effort to provide trees to the city.
They will plant 36 trees at the vacant lot across from the wastewater treatment plant. The grant will help fund an additional six trees at River Park, 14 trees at Christopher Columbus Park, 53 at Cheadle Lake Park, and 30 at Academy Square.
According to Zeidrich, a cedar of Lebanon tree, gifted by a Lebanese visitor (see our story at LebanonLocalNews.com/genuine-cedar-of-lebanon-finds-home-here/), is also expected to be planted at Academy Square.
“It’s an incredible project,” Committee Chair Rick Barnett said. “We’re really looking at the future because those trees are just little trees now, but when our grandchildren are around, they’re gonna be a wonderful asset. Trees are a really long-term investment.”
Zeidrich also reported the Lebanon Garden Club, of which she is also a member, planted or is in the process of planting 22 trees on Williams and Sixth streets from grant funds they received.
Jason Rush, maintenance operations manager for the city’s Public Works, updated the committee on other city-related matters:
- The city is in its 24th year designated as a Tree City USA municipality;
- Staff have begun tree trimming throughout the city;
- The city is preparing to install a concrete pad at the square Ralston Park section on the north side of Maple Street, to be used for a flag pole and lighted Christmas “mega trees;”
- Phase I of grant-funded improvements at Cheadle Lake Park is beginning, which includes utility extensions and street improvements. Phase II is expected to start after this year’s Strawberry Festival.
- BLT donated funds to the city for boulders at River Park to prevent cars from entering trails, and bollards were also installed. They are also expanding the parking lot near the entrance of the park.