Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Bill Erdmann, chairman of the Shawano Tree Advisory Board, looks on as Steve Gerber of Premier Community Bank and city forester Mike Kroenke finish planting a white oak tree at Franklin Park. The tree was one of 36 planted Monday as the city continues making improvements to the park.
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Erica Beilke, of Premier Community Bank, adds water as Shawano Department of Public Works employee Kevin Marquette puts the finishing touches on the planting of a maple tree at Franklin Park Monday.
It’s not a dog park, but it’s the kind of stuff that dog dreams are made of.
The city planted 36 trees at Franklin Park on Monday with the help of volunteers from Premier Community Bank.
“We’re trying a volunteer day and seeing what the response is, and so far it’s been pretty good,” said Jeff Brady of Premier.
Franklin Park is in the initial stages of development, which included grading and filling over the summer, with rainy weather already providing plenty of green space.
Bank volunteers joined Shawano Public Works Department employees and representatives from the city’s Tree Advisory Board for Monday’s massive tree planting.
“We have 20 species of trees,” city forester Mike Kroenke said.
Another 12 trees, including fruit and nut trees, will be planted in the spring.
“You can plant two times out of the year, spring and fall,” he said. “In the fall, we try to plant when the trees become dormant. We’re right on the edge of the trees becoming dormant. We’re a little early, but we’re going to water them and hopefully the trees do well, and if they don’t we may have to replant a few trees.”
He said a lot will depend on whether we get an early or late winter.
Kroenke said the city wanted to “get a jump-start” on things so the park would look nice.
“It’s going to be a really nice park,” he said. “Beautiful.”
Also coming soon as part of the first phase of the Franklin Park project will be infrastructure improvements at the northeast corner of the park for the farmers market and park trails.
Matt Hendricks, park and recreation director, said it is hoped that phase would be underway by next summer.
The park and recreation department estimated it would cost $120,000 for the Franklin Park improvements, but those costs have been offset somewhat by commitments of a $15,000 donation from the Rotary Club and $30,000 from the Shawano County Tourism Council.
The department also saved more than $30,000 by using fill from streets projects for the grading effort.
“We’re still at about a $40,000 difference between the projected cost and committed funds,” Hendricks said, “but we’re hoping to close that gap over the next few months.”
Other amenities yet to come include a band shell, playground and fountain that will be anchored by a tamarack tree and four cedars.
Hendricks said Tuesday there has already been positive feedback from the community about the newly planted trees, with residents appreciative of the new landscaping and green space.