La Porte sustainability commission details tree-planting plan, schedules Arbor Day dedication

La Porte City’s Sustainability Commission reported progress on a federally funded tree-planting grant and outlined plans for an Arbor Day/Earth Day dedication and public cleanup.

The grant-backed planting will begin within the next month, and “80 to 85,” Tucker King said, are already slotted for the spring cycle. King said the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) sidewalk program will remove about 50 trees and that program’s 2:1 replacement requirement will add roughly 100 more plantings over time. In total, King estimated the two programs could yield about 100–150 new trees across the city.

The city is partnering with Dogwood Hills Tree Farm (Middlebury) as the planting contractor. King said the city’s contract with the vendor includes a warranty: “any trees that die within that first year will be replaced.” He also said the street and water departments are coordinating a watering and mulching program; trees placed in the public right-of-way will remain city property and be maintained by the city.

Commissioners described a Rotary Club donation to be used as a local match for additional plantings. The commission discussed routing flowering trees along the Clear Lake Loop and the Chessie Trail and said the Rotary funds are intended to extend plantings from Truesdale into Fox Park and along trail connectors. Tucker King said Rotary contributed about $12,500 as a match.

Commissioners said they will notify residents in advance when a tree is planned in the tree lawn adjacent to private property; a letter will be sent to households whose yards are scheduled to receive plantings so residents may opt out. King also said the commission plans to update the city’s tree-request form so residents outside the current grant-targeted census tracts may register interest for future plantings. The commission has established a local tree-donation fund to allow planting outside the grant’s targeted tracts when local partners offer matching dollars.

For outreach and celebration, the commission confirmed an Arbor Day/Earth Day event with a morning cleanup followed by a dedication to the Rotary at Fox Park Amphitheater. At the meeting’s announcement the commission scheduled the event for April 25 with cleanup beginning at 9 a.m.; commissioners also discussed ribbon-cutting or dedication activity timed with Arbor Day observances.

Organizers said some details remain to be finalized: confirmation of use of the Arts in the Park building for food service and final planting lists are pending. The commission said it will email the list of residents receiving trees and will coordinate communications with the parks department and library for event programming.

Tucker King and city staff said the scope of the grant focuses planting in three census tracts identified for environmental need; homeowners outside those tracts are unlikely to receive a tree from this round but could in the future through the donation fund or a request form.

The commission will continue working on outreach, planting logistics and the fall planting schedule, which will include any trees deferred from the spring cycle.