Cole Park Revitilization 2010:
Planting Trees for Future Generations

Funded by the Colorado Tree Coalition and the Alamosa Dept. of Parks

Download the Cole Park 2010 Tree Planting Handout (.pdf)
View the Cole Park Photo Gallery

With funds from the Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) and the Alamosa Department of Parks and Recreation, 24 volunteers planted 24 trees in Cole Park last week. Mikyla Johnson, daughter of Rusty and Tina Johnson and an Alamosa Elementary student, helped plant 9 trees in Alamosa Parks this summer.  Oh yeah, her Dad helped too!  The Dept. of Parks dug the holes and provided much appreciated planting assistance.

Other families helped with the Cole Park Revitalization Project. Dawson and Riley Honeycutt and their mother Dawn wielded shovels helping to plant 6 trees. Dad stopped in also. Tree Board member Audrey Liu and daughter Shasta also helped plant 6.

The CTC’s tagline is “leading Colorado’s efforts to preserve, renew, and enhance community forests.” And that’s just what this grant will do.  Cole Park’s aging trees were mostly planted in 1937 and will need to be replaced over time.

Mikyla and father Rusty Johnson get ready to drop an ash tree into its hole.

Mikyla and father Rusty Johnson get ready to drop an ash tree into its hole.

 

Dawn, Dawson, and Riley Honeycutt came prepared with shovels and a lot of welcomed enthusiasm!

Dawn, Dawson, and Riley Honeycutt came prepared with shovels and a lot of welcomed enthusiasm!

The CTC grant and Dept. of Parks provided a diversity of trees that should do well here. You can now see Autumn Blaze Maples, Bur Oaks, Locusts, American Elms, Kentucky Coffee and Foothill Ashes.

Vince Urbina, Colorado State Community Forester, stressed that safety needs to be the number one priority when dealing with park trees. To this end, several of the new trees were planted near trees that certified arborist, who visited Cole Park earlier this summer, said would need to be removed within the next 5 years.

In fact, one Willow tree that was near the levee and the shelter at the south end of the park was removed last week.  It was toppled with the help of a tractor with a bucket. Once felled, it could be seen to have a lot of rotten wood.  The shelter will be moved a bit north due to the City Complex construction.  A Hackberry and a Locust were planted to replace the Willow.

Nine trees were planted on the south and south east where there were no trees.  Jeremy Arellano, Alamosa Department of Parks and Recreation, noted that people try to avoid this area during Summer Fest as it is so hot – they seek shade elsewhere.  While somewhat small now, the trees will begin to provide shade soon.  They’re already of interest to Linda Christian’s dog for other reasons.

The trees planted were 2 inch to 2 1\2 inch caliper (diameter). Usually, for inventory purposes, trees are measured at breast height (40 inches from the ground).