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Wahoo parks: arboretum grant, certified arborist trainee and 3.25-acre pollinator habitat planned
Summary
Parks staff reported a small Nebraska State Arboretum grant to fund Smith Park tree work (including removing two ash trees), will cover a certification exam for a new turf/horticulture staffer pursuing arborist credentials, and described a 3.25-acre Monarch Joint Venture pollinator habitat seeded on city property with volunteer assistance.
City parks staff told the council that the city received a grant through the Nebraska State Arboretum to support Smith Park tree work, staff training and equipment purchases.
The grant and tree work: The department head said the award (reported in the packet) will fund removal of two large ash trees in Smith Park and purchase pruning and safety equipment; staff estimate the removal will save the city's budgeted cost of approximately $10,000. The department also said it retroactively included the cost of an arborist certification exam (reported by staff as about $5,600) for Tony Thorson, a parks maintenance employee who is pursuing his certified arborist credential.
Pollinator habitat: Staff described a partnership with the Monarch Joint Venture and local resident Jay Keening to establish a roughly 3.25-acre pollinator habitat on the west side of Dry Creek Run at Hat Bray Park. According to staff, MJV supplied a seed mix of roughly 95 wildflower/forb species at no cost and assisted technical guidance; city crews mowed and applied herbicide before drilling the seed in late November. Staff said the habitat will be managed under a —sleep, creep and leap— approach with visible establishment expected by year three (2028).
Other parks updates: Staff reported that Project Park's old playground had been removed and the site prepared for a new installation, senior services delivered about 400 meals in November, and the city thrift store recorded gross sales above $10,000 in recent months.
Next steps: Staff will await an official notice to proceed on the arboretum grant before starting reimbursable work; habitat management will follow technical guidance from MJV and be updated on a web page maintained by the parks department.
