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Parks commission reports 40 trees planted at Snook’s Bottom, seeks funds to fence saplings from beavers
Summary
The Fruita Parks and Recreation Commission told city council it planted 40 trees at Snook’s Bottom with a $6,000 grant and is fundraising to fence the saplings against beaver damage; commissioners also proposed bylaw changes and listed several upcoming volunteer events.
The Fruita Parks and Recreation Commission reported to Fruita City Council that volunteers and staff planted 40 trees at Snook’s Bottom this year and are fundraising to protect the new saplings from beaver damage.
“We planted 40 trees,” commission chair Shannon Watas said, adding that Mark Vancuso secured a $6,000 grant to pay for the trees. Watas said volunteers and a master gardener assisted with planting and that local volunteers have continued to water the saplings weekly.
The commission said the next step is to protect the trees. Watas said tree “wrapping” — erecting fence-style protection around each trunk — costs about $30 per tree and the commission hopes to wrap all 40 during an October volunteer event. She said the commission will present to the Fruita Rotary in September seeking additional funding and that the Fruita Co‑op provided a discount on supplies.
Watas also outlined non-tree items the commission is working on. The commission plans community meetings for a proposed community garden, will adopt the Monument View trail segment between 18 and 17 Road and hold a clean-up in September, and will staff a booth at the farmers market on Sept. 20. Watas said the commission is changing its bylaws to align with the city charter — including changing its name from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to the Parks and Recreation Commission and moving officer elections from January to April — and asked whether city council needs to approve those bylaw changes.
Commissioners and staff thanked volunteers by name: Keith Baldwin was singled out for watering saplings weekly, and a parks open-space staff member identified as Jim for using a water truck to help keep the plantings alive.
No formal council action was taken on the report; commissioners said they will request council action later if needed for the bylaw changes or to accept donations.
Watas said the commission will continue fundraising and community outreach and invited council and the public to participate at upcoming volunteer and outreach events.
