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Rotary Club donates $50,000 for John Hunt Park arboretum; city to add trees, paths
Summary
The Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville presented a $50,000 check to the city for a three‑acre arboretum project at John Hunt Park. City staff said the project will plant at least 100 native trees and add walking paths and benches; volunteers will help with planting in the fall.
The Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville presented a $50,000 donation to the city of Huntsville on March 13 to help build an arboretum at John Hunt Park.
Brian Walker, director of landscape management for the city of Huntsville, told the council the city plans to use about three acres of unused property at John Hunt Park to “plant at least 100 trees, native trees to Alabama, and create walking paths, and picnic areas, and benches” next to the Loretta P. Spencer soccer complex.
Joanne Perez of the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville handed the check to the city and said, “On behalf of the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville, I'd like to present this check for $50,000 to the city of Huntsville.” She added the club will provide “sweat equity” and help plant trees during a fall service day.
Mayor Battle thanked the Rotary members and called the contribution the kind of community participation that “makes our community great.” The mayor said the gift will help “make the Arboretum project move forward quickly.”
City staff did not provide a detailed project schedule or a final budget breakdown at the meeting. Walker described basic project elements — tree planting, walking paths, picnic areas and benches — and the Rotary’s donation and volunteer assistance were presented as initial funding and support for the effort.
The city accepted the donation during the presentation; officials said volunteer planting is planned in the fall and routine administrative steps will follow to move the project into implementation.
