A new program by the Valparaiso Parks Department is making it possible to add more than 500 new trees to the city over the next three years. The program began, appropriately, with some seed money from an anonymous donor who offered up to $5,000 per year in matching funds to establish a Park Tree Fund. Excited about the potential, the Redevelopment Commission offered to match the total amount donated by the residents and the grant combined and Mayor Costas agreed to match the total again, using funds from the Motor Vehicle Highway fund and economic development funds.
“When you start doubling donations over and over, it adds up pretty quickly,” said Carrie Crisan, Assistant Director for Parks. “In fact, every dollar donated becomes an $8 gift to the fund,” she said. Residents can choose to donate $1 or $5 per month for at least a year, which is added to the household utility bill. By choosing to donate just $1 a month, the Park Tree Fund receives $96 a year, which just about covers the cost of one tree.
Already more than 100 residents have registered, donating $161 dollars a month as part of their Utilities bill. “Every pledge counts. With the amount currently pledged, the Park Tree Fund will have $15,456 in the fund on December 31, 2011,” said Crisan. “This is a great example of the citizens and the city working together to keep our city vibrant and beautiful,” she said.
If you would like to contribute to this “growing” fund, you can access a donation registration form on the park’s website www.valpoparks.org and at the Park office at 3210 Campbell Street. For more information, call the Park office at 219.462.5144.