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Citizen proposes 'Dig for Hope' memorial tree project; board raises maintenance and land questions
Summary
A resident proposed a 'Dig for Hope' tree-planting memorial to support families affected by cancer; EDAB members endorsed the idea in principle but raised concerns about site availability, long-term maintenance, and potential oversubscription.
S2 presented a letter from a community member who proposed a 'Dig for Hope' project: families could plant trees with plaques as remembrances during cancer treatment or in memory of loved ones. The proposer envisions a serene planted area for reflection and suggested plaques accompanying individual trees.
Committee members welcomed the sentiment but flagged practical constraints. S4 and others pointed to previous tree- and bench-remembrance programs that became maintenance burdens and noted limited available town land. S3 recommended considering dispersed plantings (reforesting areas where trees were lost) rather than concentrating many memorials in a single park to reduce maintenance pressure.
Members also suggested possible partnerships (parks department, land conservancy, Complete Streets or nature-alliance groups) to handle long-term stewardship. S8 noted the committee controls or can access some town-owned parcels and offered to explore a multi-acre parcel on East River as a possible location if the town retains or assigns it for the purpose.
The board did not vote on the proposal; members asked S2 to continue exploring possible sites, maintenance models (including sponsorship or cost-recovery), and relevant town policies and to report back.
