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Tree Commission advances revisions to Historic Leesburg Tree Walk, plans app and brochure updates
Summary
Commissioners reviewed draft content for a mobile walking-tour app and revised brochure for the Historic Leesburg Tree Walk, discussed relocating or replacing damaged markers, and weighed expanding the tour to include nearby cemetery and Ida Lee park trees.
The Tree Commission reviewed a proposed revision of the Historic Leesburg Tree Walk and a prototype for a free walking-tour app. Commissioners described a map with about two dozen points, audio narration options, embedded links to Virginia Tech dendrology pages, and suggested edits to tree selections and brochure text.
A presenter for the commission described meeting with Leah Cousin and an intern, Charlotte, who demonstrated an existing tour template and an audio option that reads descriptions aloud. Commission members discussed replacing a repeatedly damaged dogwood sign with a more protected tree (the Revolutionary War statue dogwood was suggested), removing trees with limited historic value from the brochure and substituting other specimens such as sycamore, basswood, white oak or other native species, and correcting or relocating entries where trees had died or been removed.
Cost and logistics came up: a homeowner-made sign was discussed (a participant reported a $200 cost), and commission members explored corporate sponsorships for signage and an updated print run. The Arbor Day/Tree City USA signs were discussed elsewhere in the meeting; a 24x30-inch garden sign from a national supplier was cited at $74.95 as a reference price.
Commissioners debated whether to number signs on trees (the group leaned away from permanent numbering on private-property trees) and whether to expand the route to include Union Cemetery and parts of Ida Lee park as a longer “native tree” or expanded loop. They also discussed maintenance of audio recordings and recommended higher-quality recording and mixing; one presenter offered equipment and help with recording.
Next steps: Charlotte will begin work on the cover and initial website content; staff will compile a revised map and list of candidate trees for the next meeting. Reprinting costs and the timing for an expanded or reissued brochure were left for future budget planning.
