Orchard Mesa Middle School

2736 Unaweep Avenue

Grand Junction, CO  81503

 

October 12, 2005

 

 

Tree Grant Program

CPRA Foundation

P. O. Box 1037

Wheat Ridge, CO  80034

 

Reference:  2005 Tree Planting Program, Final Report

 

 

Dear CPRA Foundation:

 

This Final Report acknowledges the $500 grant received from Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (sponsored by the Colorado Garden Show, Inc. and Leanin’ Tree, Inc.) and documents the completion on October 7, 2005 of Phase III of a five-year community campus beautification project at Orchard Mesa Middle School, Grand Junction, Colorado.

 

Phase III OMMS Landscaping Plan included creating a xeric planned courtyard plaza area near the library for student, visitor and general public benefit. 

To prepare the Plaza prior to tree planting, the following items were completed:

            *  A drainage system was installed.

            *  Grading and contouring of the courtyard plaza to include bermed areas.

            *  Crushed granite Pathways to direct student traffic.

 

 

Using CPRA grant money, five xeric low water or moderately low water trees were  planted in the Plaza.

           

            1   Koelreuteria paniculata (Golden Raintree)

            1   Quercus macrocarpa (Bur Oak)                                

            1   Celtis occidentalis (Hackberry)

            1   Zelkovia serrotina (Zelkovia)             

            1   Morus alba ‘Chaparral’ (Weeping Mulberry, fruitless) 

 

 

The trees were purchased from Bookcliff Gardens, 755 26 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506.  The trees were delivered to the planting area in the early morning of October 7, 2005.  The holes had been dug the previous day by Mesa County School District 51 personnel. 

 

Organizations and individuals participating in the tree planting included:

             Orchard Mesa Middle School students and members of Service in Action groups "Helping Hands" and "Knights of the Roundtable," and faculty members Barbara Pruessing and Tom Alford.

Gary Rinderle, Construction, Clifton, CO.

            Western Colorado Gardening Foundation Board of Directors member 

Sylvia Sharpe (also CSU Advanced Master Gardener).

School District 51 -- Earl Lee, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor.

 

Media acknowledgement of the event included a news release distributed to the Daily Sentinel and the Free Press (see copy attached).   Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Foundation, Colorado Garden Show, and Leanin’ Tree, Inc. were acknowledged in the news release.

 

As the sponsor organization helping with the tree planting project, the CPRA grant is also publicly acknowledged on the Western Colorado Gardening Foundation's website www.wcgf.org, OMMS.  The tree planting is permanently documented in digital photos of all students and participating individuals involved in the tree planting.  Copies of the photographs displayed online are enclosed as documentation to this final report.

 

In 2006/2007 as funds become available, the Plaza will continue to be enhanced by the addition of benches, other xeric and native plants and shrubs, and additional tree plantings.  A gazebo will be built to serve as an outdoor classroom. 

 

Orchard Mesa Middle School appreciates receiving the $500 grant from Colorado Parks and Recreation Association.  Our long-term goal is to continue the extensive and on-going tree planting and horticultural beautification project at Orchard Mesa Middle School. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Barbara J. Pruessing

 

Enclosures

Photographs

News Release