Parowan Shade Tree Committee finalizes Arbor Day plans for May 1–2

Parowan City Shade Tree Committee Chair Heidi Toia said the committee finalized plans for Arbor Day events scheduled the first week of May, confirming a school assembly on Friday, May 1 at about 8:00 a.m. and a tree-planting ceremony at Meeks Farmstead Park on Saturday, May 2 at 10:00 a.m.

Committee member Vern Fridley told colleagues he had secured two trees: a larger Kentucky Coffee Tree from Ladybug Nursery with a $100 discount (leaving about $100 to cover) and a second tree offered at no cost by Big Trees Nursery. Vern also reported he had drafted proposed wording for commemorative plaques on Mayor Halterman’s suggestion and said the city budget could cover related costs. Vern noted both nurseries require pickup within the next one to two weeks and raised a concern about a forecasted freeze in the Cedar City area that could affect timing, though he believed the Kentucky Coffee Trees may tolerate the conditions because they had not yet leafed out.

Committee members discussed planting locations and water access at Meeks Farmstead. Vern expressed a preference to place the trees near the cabin rather than the garden bed area and said he had tried to coordinate a site visit with Justin to confirm exact locations and irrigation access. Ron Roth clarified that a hose previously seen on-site had been used to water donated street trees and is not part of a permanent water system. City Recorder Callie Bassett offered to contact Council Member Lyle Barton to arrange pickup; public attendee Ryan Johnson volunteered to retrieve the trees using a state vehicle and said committee members could meet him at the nurseries but could not ride in the state truck.

The committee asked for volunteers to serve as master of ceremonies for one or both events and agreed to use the formal park name Meeks Farmstead, which appears on the entrance sign, for event materials. The committee plans to meet again only if necessary after Arbor Day.