ORCHARD MESA MIDDLE SCHOOL TREE PLANTING CELEBRATION

 

 

Phase II of a five-year community campus beautification project was recently completed on May 7 at Orchard Mesa Middle School.  The members of two service learning groups, Helping Hands and The Knights of the Round Table hosted the tree planting celebration on the southeast side of the campus.

 

Not only does Orchard Mesa Middle School serve the educational needs of the surrounding area, it also serves as the recreation hub of the community.

At the present time School District 51 works in conjunction with Grand Junction Parks and Recreation Association, the City of Grand Junction, the State of Colorado and Mesa County Public Library to provide the following services housed on the campus of Orchard Mesa Middle School:

·        An enclosed swimming pool with extended hours for public use.

·        An in-line skate rink.

·        A tennis court complex with extended hours for public use.

·        A sand pit volleyball court.

·        A gymnasium with extended hours for public use.

·        A lighted basketball court.

·        A library with extended hours for public use.

·        A football field with extended hours for public use.

·        A trail entrance to the Colorado River Walk project, approximately one mile from the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Pavilion.

·        A Park overlooking the Colorado River with picnic area and playground equipment.

 

Orchard Mesa Middle School students and faculty, along with Colorado State University, Cooperative Extension, Tri-River Area  Master Gardeners, members of the Western Colorado Gardening Foundation, planted the trees which were provided by Bookcliff Gardens at a discount price.  In particular, special thanks goes to Tom Ziola and Dan Weidrich, City of Grand Junction Forestry Department, and to Earl Lee, School District 51 grounds maintenance and crew. 

 

Future projects on the campus may include additional tree planting in other sections of the 22 acre campus, landscaping the courtyard near the library to include multiple tree plantings, a xeriscape garden, adding benches, paved walkways to direct student traffic and other focal point items, and renovating the existing rose garden.  Questions regarding community involvement in future projects on campus may be directed to Barbara Pruessing or Kim Davis, faculty members, Orchard Mesa Middle School.

 

Phase II Tree Planting has been made possible through partial funding by a grant from the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Foundation which is sponsored by Colorado Garden Show, Inc., and Leanin’ Tree, Inc., and also partially funded by the Western Colorado Gardening Foundation.