Plain City is working to create a level one arboretum at Pastime Park. Above, from left, Plain City Public Works employees Ethan Nicol, Tyler Parker and Dustin Stick, maneuver to plant the park’s Christmas tree last week.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Mac Cordell)
––––
Plain City park officials want to create an accredited arboretum in Pastime Park and are using some creative approaches to get there.
Linda Granger, who has served as village Parks and Recreation Director for three years, has said she wants Pastime Park to be a tree-filled retreat.
“I want to keep the feeling of a true park-like setting,” Granger said.
In her effort to do that, Granger reintroduced a balled Christmas tree at the park. A balled tree is a live tree with the roots and dirt inside a burlap wrapper.
The tree was lit in early December and last week was undecorated and planted in the park. She said she has done it each of her three years — planting Frazier and Douglas Firs. This year she planted another Frazier fir.
“I just thought it would be a really nice thing for the community to have during the holidays,” Granger said. “Not only did it provide that Christmas feeling at the park, but it served to allow us to be able to plant some trees at the park.”
Granger said there are already several pines and firs growing in the park, remnants of earlier years when the Christmas tree was planted.
Granger has also created a Pastime Park Memorial Tree program. She said she was approached about the idea when she first began in the position. She said she liked the idea, but it got put on hold while some other projects were completed.
She said that when the opportunity arose, she created the program. For a fee, families can purchase and plant a tree inside Pastime Park. Along with the tree is a small plaque marking its dedication. She said the tree could be used to memorialize almost anything from the birth of a child to the passing of a loved one.
The program offers a selection of tree suggestions, but Granger said, “there really could be a wide variety of trees as long as it works in this soil and the climate here.”
A master gardener, Granger said she wants to create a level one accredited arboretum. As part of the process, the park must have a tree plan as well as at least 25 identified species of tree or woody plants.
“I am trying to replace not only oak, and some of the Ash trees that we lost, but I want t plant other varieties as well,” Granger said.
Granger said that a variety of trees is a requirement, but it also protects the village parks in case of a disease or invasive species that attacks a specific species of tree. She said Pastime Park lost “a lot” of ash trees to the ash borer.
Those wanting more information about the park or the tree programs are encouraged to contact Granger at (614) 226-0424.