The town of Palisade is a small, mainly agricultural community at the eastern edge of the Grand Valley in western Colorado. It is known for its outstanding fruit crops, especially peaches, and also for several fine wineries. Today, Palisade peaches are the pride of Colorado, world-famous and sought after by people who drive hundreds, even thousands of miles to taste the best and take several bushels home with them to preserve and enjoy. Palisade has also become the home of many award- winning wineries. Hundreds of acres of vineyards grace our area and add to our wonderful agricultural legacy .Palisade is a destination for many people who visit the tasting rooms of the wineries and purchase wines. The local climate is often referred to as "The Banana Belt." The mild climate and unique terrain create near-perfect peach and grape growing conditions. Winds moving through DeBeque Canyon are compressed and warmed to prevent crop killing frosts in the spring. As the winds move down valley further west, it spreads out and its warming effect is diminished. The climate, a 182-day growing season, and an average 78% of sunshine make Palisade "The Peach Capital".

Characteristics and Need for the Project
For the past 100 years, Palisade has been celebrating the peach harvest in August by holding an annual Peach Festival. And the Colorado Wine Industry celebrates the grape harvest with a Winefest in September. In the past, both of these festivals have been held in the small town park. Because of the national interest, attendance continues to increase. In 2003, approximately 15,000 people attended these festivals. The ever-increasing attendance had necessitated closing some of the main streets to accommodate festival activities.

In 2004, Palisade's Centennial Year celebration, both the Peachfest and the Colorado Mountain Winefest will be held at Riverbend Park, along the Colorado River. The Riverbend Park is the site of this grant request. Riverbend Park is owned and maintained by the town of Palisade. There are public restroom facilities and a fenced playground as well as a Frisbee course between the area of the Grand Valley Irrigation Canal and the Colorado River. There are also a few existing picnic areas and benches along the hiking and biking trail. Future plans involve connecting this trail with Grand Junction's

Riverfront Trail. The park is used by people throughout the year and this grant request is part of long-range development of the park.

About 150 resident and migratory species of birds are common to this part of Colorado. Migratory waterfowl are commonly seen in the fall and spring. Some geese nest in or near the park and remain to rear their young. Beavers, wild turkeys, great horned owls, and blue herons are seen here, as well as mule deer. The interplay of weather, animals, and plants along the Colorado River is an ever-changing spectacle that draws many residents for a daily walk.

There are large, old cottonwood trees, which Palisade Public Works Department prune and maintain. Other existing landscaping includes a few seedling aspens and junipers, along with some ornamental grasses and native shrubs. The Public Works Department has been preparing two large areas for irrigation, with plans to seed with fescue grasses.

a. To provide areas of shade, especially for the playground and for festival attendees

b. To provide designated area(s) of xeric and native trees for purpose of public education and identification

c. To provide beautification and landscaped area(s) with specimen trees that will showcase the new festival grounds

Educational Opportunities of the Project
a. The Eco-interact Club of Palisade High School will provide signage that identifies the types of trees planted. Bob Cameron, Palisade High School Life Sciences teacher, is especially interested in native and xeric trees and would like to increase the general public's interest and awareness of xeric landscape possibilities.

b. The trees will provide additional nesting, resting and feeding habitat for birds. The Eco-interact Club and the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Class at Palisade High School are interested in studying bat behavior and in attracting bats, which would assist in mosquito and insect control along the river and canal areas.

c. Many residents who currently enjoy the park, as well as visitors to the area would benefit from the landscaping

Volunteer and Community Involvement in the Project
a. The Eco-interact Club at Palisade High School will research the characteristics and requirements of the native and xeric trees and will make appropriate signage.

b. Curtis Swift, Ph.D. , Tri-River Area Extension Agent, Horticulture, Colorado State University, has provided consultation regarding types of trees and planting considerations. As Director of the Master Garden Program, he is interested in following this planting and may provide volunteer opportunities for Master Gardeners.

c. Phil Bertrand, of Grand Valley Irrigation, is consulting with the town regarding encroachment areas, maintenance responsibility, and water table issues.

d. Vince Urbina, of the Colorado State Forest Service has been providing technical support and consultation.

e. Western Colorado Gardening Foundation, a Colorado nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, is the sponsor organization submitting this tree grant proposal. Members will actively participate in the execution of the tree planting and will follow this project with interest.

f. Heritage Homes for Seniors, an assisted living center, is located near the eastern entrance to the park. Because the trails are wheelchair accessible, the Riverbend Park will provide horticultural therapy and a pleasant outdoor outing.

Publicity and Public Relations for the Project
a. Announcements, articles and publications related to the CTC tree-planting project will include a statement "partially funded by a grant from the Colorado Tree Coalition."

b. Palisade Tribune editor, Bob Dougherty, is very interested and active in community affairs and will feature periodic pictures and articles about this project.

c. Because Riverbend Park is the new site of the Palisade Peachfest and the Colorado Mountain Winefest, local television and radio stations will broadcast news and information about the features of this location.

d. As the sponsor organization helping with this tree planting project, the Colorado Tree Coalition grant will be publicly acknowledged on the Western Colorado Gardening Foundation website, www.wcgf.org