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McAlester Tree Board wins $28,705 state grant to plant 50 native trees in Mullen Park; some residents urge fewer plantings
Summary
The McAlester Community Tree Board reported a $28,705 Urban and Community Forestry grant to plant 50 native shade trees and install irrigation at Mullen Park; a resident asked the board to reduce the scope to 25 trees citing maintenance, and a resident clarified the grant's terms require native species and are not negotiable.
Lacey, speaking for the McAlester Community Tree Board, told the council the board secured a competitive Urban and Community Forestry grant through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service totaling $28,705 for a project called "Shade and Story Transforming Mullen Park." The project will install 50 Oklahoma‑native shade and flowering trees, add an irrigation system, and include bilingual (English and Choctaw) tree‑care brochures.
"We are a 7 member board appointed by you, and to advise the city on tree related matters," Lacey said, summarizing the board's volunteer activities and partnerships with local arborists and organizations. She asked the council to consider a modest annual budget — she suggested $2,000 a year — to support tree purchases, tools and volunteer outreach.
During public comment, a resident asked that the board reconsider planting 50 trees in Mullen Park and instead reduce the number to 25 because of perceived maintenance burdens. Lacey responded that the board has a local arborist and volunteers and that the planned irrigation system should reduce maintenance concerns.
Heath Stanfield, a McAlester resident, addressed the council to clarify that the funding is state grant money with conditions: "it's a grant... so it's actually external money coming in for us to plant these. And so we actually can't negotiate it. It's tied into the grant that we're receiving," Stanfield said, explaining that the Oklahoma Forestry Service expects native trees and that the funding cannot be reallocated.
The presentation noted outreach accomplishments in the past year — workshops, Arbor Day events, and partnerships with local organizations — and announced a planned ribbon cutting after project completion. The Tree Board said it will coordinate with the Parks Department for planting and maintenance plans.
