Eight years ago, certain St. John citizens felt that there was a need for some sort of city tree advisory committee. After two of these citizens consulted with our City Council, the St. John Tree Board was appointed by our Mayor. Those appointed were:  Julie Fox  - chairman, Barry Ragan - treasurer, Helen Reuber, Lisa John, and John Fox.

Having officially started in September of '96, the Tree Board first completed a city-wide streets and parks inventory(see St. John Tree Inventory). Then, after taking a tree inventory of our city square, our board felt there was a need for some tree identification markers(see tree marker background and tree marker inventory)! Sterling Screen Printing of Overland Park was contacted to do twenty-five different tree markers for one hundred trees!

The Tree Board asked St. John's Junior and Senior High art departments to work on the markers' design specs. They were also asked to come up with a new St. John City logo to be placed at the bottom of these markers. The markers were completed in February 1997 and were been placed at the base of various selected trees throughout our three city parks.

We hare ordered additional tree identification markers covering sixteen tree varieties that we do not have markers for. With these new markers, we'll have markers for forty-one tree varieties.

Eight years ago, our Tree Board inquired about using the services of Lindsborg's "Growing-Out Station(see Share the Shade)." After consulting with the station manager Wes Adell, the decision was made to enroll in the program starting in the fall of 97! Approximately 400 of the station's trees were planted throughout St. John!

Our latest project is the landscaping of our Brown Park(see Brown Park's landscaping plans and Brown Park's landscaping plans phase II)! In 1997 and early 1998, sixty-four trees were donated for our three parks! Most were placed in Brown. A few trees were planted in our downtown square and Cornwell Park! Thirty-five additional donated trees were added to our Brown Park collection this year! Twenty-three "Share the Shade" trees were planted in three sections of Brown. Twenty-two elm trees, thirteen red cedar and two ash trees were removed in the last two years. We have constructed a five feet wide, 1/4 mile long concrete trail this year! Along this trail, have placed Twelve Victorian lights(see Victorian light project)!

We have installed two new childrens tot lots and put in a new whirl, a new twelve foot spiral slide, and a new four seat swing set!  Also have added new picnic tables in our picnic shelters. We have installedl four Victorian benches next to our new walking trail, have installed a new underground sprinkling system, and planted grass throughout the main park area!

A few years ago, the St. John National Bank paid for our flower, tree, and shrub display(see More plants for our flower and shrub display) which is located on the northwestern edge of the main area!

With the exception of city labor, most of Brown Park tree plantings were done with little or no cost to our City!

A memorial sign listing the tree donors' names and memorials / honoree's was erected 7 1/2 years ago.

Our Tree Board has had the complete cooperation from our City Council, our City Superintendent, and the citizens of St. John!

Presently, our members are:  Steve Schulz, Barry Ragan, Kathleen Fox, Lori Messick, and Donna Tucker.

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