The city of Grinnell Public Services Department, with the award of a $10,000 grant from Trees Forever and Alliant Energy, will be planting nearly 400 trees in Grinnell parks and Hazelwood Cemetery this spring.
Volunteers are needed to help with this very large-scale project scheduled to begin Monday, May 5th running through Friday, May 9th. Anyone, young to old, can lend a hand as there will be a wide variety of tasks to be completed, from coordinating tree placement to actually planting the trees.
Wednesday, May 7th, will be "Media Day" at Van Horn Park. Representatives from Trees Forever and Alliant Energy will be on hand to work alongside volunteers, city staff, and community leaders. Lunch will be provided to all that are able to take the day, whole or in part, to lend a hand with this project that will make a large impact on Grinnell's urban forest population. Coordination, pictures, and instructions will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Spring Street entrance to the park. The day will wrap up around 3:00 p.m.
Over the course of several years, nearly 30 trees in Van Horn Park have been lost. This grant will not only replenish the tree population in Van Horn Park but also includes plantings in Lions, Bailey, Miller, Arbor Lake, and Merrill Parks, as well as Hazelwood Cemetery.
Individual volunteers or groups such as schools, businesses, or organizations will be welcome throughout the entire week. Volunteers are asked to bring their own gloves, shovels, rakes and to wear clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Wheelbarrows to haul mulch are also welcome. Holes for the trees will be pre-dug by city staff. Volunteers to water the trees throughout the summer are also being sought.
If you would like to volunteer please call the Public Service department at 641-236-2632 or city hall at 641-236-2600 in order to plan for Wednesday's lunch and any needed material.
Thank you in advance for your participation with this exciting project. It will help ensure a thriving and diverse urban tree population for generations to come.