STE. GENEVIEVE — Ste. Genevieve residents may notice several newly planted trees along Progress Parkway.
It’s the latest project of the Ste. Genevieve Rotary Club.
The idea for the tree planting was brought up at a Rotary meeting and club members were overwhelmingly in favor of the idea. Rotary President Jared Richardson spearheaded the project for the club researched the best trees for the area. The hearty male gingko tree was the winner.
“We talked to numerous people including city representatives, former Director of Missouri State Parks John Karel. and even my dad who is a horticulturist,” said Richardson. “Through our numerous conversations, we landed on the gingko tree as being a sound choice. They are disease-resistant, have beautiful golden fall foliage, but best of all they will make great shade trees. This was our primary motivation for the project in the first place. We thought it would be nice for all the walkers along Progress Parkway. Granted, we won’t see the “fruits of our labor” for a number of years, but when they begin to shade the sidewalks, we hope people will think of the Rotarians.”
A dozen or so Rotarians provided hands-on help in planting the trees; adding potting soil and mulch; and staking the trees, but Richardson was extremely appreciative of additional assistance from Citizens Electric and Alliance Water.
“Linemen from Citizens Ste. Genevieve service department and Ron Bushnell, superintendent generously provided their equipment and made short work of digging the holes for the trees,” said Richardson. “And Alliance Water filled the water bags to make sure the saplings got a good start.”
Richardson said the tree planting was a great volunteer project funded in part with a matching grant from the Rotary District.
“Ste. Genevieve is a beautiful city, and we hope adding these trees to the landscape of Progress Parkway will just add to the beauty,” said Richardson. “It’s just one of the ways we, as Rotarians, can give back to the community.”
Other recent projects of the Ste. Genevieve Rotary Club include the brick welcome sign on Highway 32; the gazebo at Bicentennial Park; and needed supplies to Heavenly Hope.
“Community service involves activities of the club that help make the community a better place in which to live,” said Richardson. “We invite anyone to join our service club which meets Tuesdays at noon at the Country Mart Party Room and help make a difference in our community.”