The Greening of Meininger Park

THE GREENING of MEININGER PARK

Just outside the hustle and bustle of a lively downtown Royal Oak sits a nearly 9-acre park of towering oak trees that provide the perfect escape to nature. Unfortunately disease, storms, and age threaten to change the landscape of this little gem also known as Maxwell Park as each year the park loses trees that make it the great place we know and love. The goal of this project is to plant 10-15 new trees of varying species in the fall of 2017 to help the park retain its natural forest like feel.

MY STORY

When I moved to Royal Oak my husband and I were recent college graduates and newly married. Fourteen years later we have a dog and two small children ages 2 and 4. During the spring, summer and fall I refer to Meininger Park as my home away from home. We walk or bike to the park almost daily and over the years have met may wonderful friends there. The tall oak trees provide the perfect shade for little ones to play on a hot summer day and the forest like atmosphere is a great place to walk the dog. Meininger Park will always hold a special place in my heart and I know it does for many others as well.
In April 2015 I created the Meininger Park Neighborhood Association to organize an annual park clean up in the spring. In 2017 I would like to do more with a project that will have a lasting long term positive impact on the park.

RETAINING ITS NATURAL FEEL

I want to see Meininger Park retain its forest like feel for generations to come, however, each year trees are lost due to disease and storm damage. Without any action the landscape of the park could quickly change. It will take years for any new trees to provide the shade and benefits of those that currently tower above us. It is critical that we work to get new trees planted to offset those lost.

CALL TO ACTION

The funds raised through this campaign will be given to the Royal Oak ROOTS Foundation which will disperse a portion of the money collected to ReLeaf Michigan to help with the planting of 10-15 new trees. Each tree is estimated to cost approximately $125-150 and Releaf Michigan will match all donations up to $1,000. Another portion of the funds collected will be given to Worry Free Inc. to pay for the cost of watering the trees during the hot and dry summer months. Tree gator water bags will be placed at the base of the trees but will need to be refilled on a weekly basis during the summer months. Any additional funds raised will be left in the Royal Oak Park Improvement Fund to be used for future tree plantings at city parks.
Releaf Michigan is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization whose mission is to educate the public on the value of trees, and how to properly select, plant, and maintain them. It was founded in 1988 and has worked with over 350 communities across Michigan on tree related projects. Working with community volunteers, they have planted over 29,000 trees of 2-inch diameter on public property in Michigan's cities, townships, and villages. They are supported by the generosity of people, like you, who care about trees, a healthy environment, and the future of vibrant Michigan communities.

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