Parks & Arts Commission approves up to $8,000 to buy trees for holiday display

The City of Liberty Lake Parks & Arts Commission voted unanimously June 2 to allocate up to $8,000 to purchase trees for a community-decorated holiday display.

The motion, approved without opposition, authorizes staff to purchase up to 36 trees (roughly a dozen per park, depending on final costs) and to return with implementation details. Commissioners described the plan as a combined effort to replace missing park trees and create a community holiday display that residents could sponsor and decorate.

Commissioner Nancy Hill said the idea grew from two needs staff had identified: replacing trees in parks that were never planted or removed, and creating a safe, park-based way for residents to decorate without working at roadside locations. Recreation coordinator Mikkel Stevens told the group staff was mapping power locations and tree sites to refine the plan.

Commission discussion noted likely costs of “a couple hundred dollars a tree” and that the $8,000 authorization would cover purchase and initial installation; staff will return with exact pricing and placement. Commissioners also discussed limiting the project to the city’s three major parks and using sponsorship to involve residents in decorating.

The motion was made, seconded and carried unanimously; commissioners agreed to continue detailed planning and to present final placement and procurement estimates at a future meeting.

The commission recorded the expenditure as coming from its programming line and noted $10,000 remained in that category before the vote.