La Porte sustainability commission plans recognition, signage for Rotary tree-planting on Jesse Trail

The La Porte City Sustainability Commission discussed plans to recognize a Rotary Club donation that will fund a planting of flowering trees along Jesse (Jesse) Trail and to coordinate signage and a spring celebration timed with Arbor Day.

Commission members said Rotary recommended holding the main public event in spring when the trees are expected to flower, but they also want to acknowledge Rotary sooner. ‘‘I think we need to recognize Rotary now,’’ a commission member said, noting the group would also like the city council to announce the planting when scheduled.

Commissioners and volunteers discussed logistics: using Rotary-provided logos on signs, whether to use park-system standard signs instead of a ground monument, and whether the Interact Club (the high-school Rotary chapter) should be involved in a volunteer planting event separate from the spring celebration. One commissioner said Interact members prefer hands-on activities and that a separate volunteer planting day would likely work best.

Participants said they expect roughly 18 trees will be planted; one commissioner noted that exact timing, planting dates and the final number will depend on the contractor’s schedule. The group discussed coordinating with city staff (including a staff member identified in discussion as Tucker) to confirm planting dates so signage and any celebration can be planned. Commission members said they will seek Rotary’s official logo files for sign production and expect the city’s sign shop or existing park signage standards could be used to keep the look consistent.

Next steps recorded during the discussion included: checking past council minutes to confirm prior acknowledgment of the Rotary donation, asking staff to confirm planting dates with the contractor, obtaining Rotary logo files for sign production, and developing a prototype sign or recognition plan for commission review once schedules are confirmed.