Proposal for micro nursery behind maintenance building to grow chestnuts, funded partly by community 5K

A board member proposed creating a micro nursery at the back of the maintenance building at Evrett's Run to grow recently acquired hybrid American chestnut saplings and other small stock. The plan calls for installing guttering to collect roof runoff into elevated 500-to-1,000-gallon tanks and using a solar water pump plus moisture sensors to irrigate repurposed industrial IBC-style totes filled with wood chips as growing medium.

"We could draw the water off the roof into the tank. We would then have, you know, a solar water pump," the Chair said, describing an inexpensive automated watering system (pump units in the low hundreds of dollars) and the plan to use wood chips in totes so saplings grow as bare roots for easier transplanting. The Chair also proposed community painting projects to decorate planters and involve youth groups.

Members discussed fencing and security to protect the nursery from deer and vandalism, with suggestions ranging from tying into existing chain-link fencing to decorative barriers and camera monitoring. The board agreed the project would need Parks Department and possibly City Council approval if it requires alterations to the maintenance building (gutters) or dedicated budget for fencing and other materials.

The Chair noted a June 5K fundraiser that may earmark proceeds for the tree board and suggested the board would assess funds in June before finalizing fencing or equipment purchases. The board also discussed using $1,000 already allocated for educational/promotional materials to create chestnut planting guides and coordinate outreach with Friends of Happy Retreat.