Dubuque Trees Forever Community Orchard Proposal for Caledonia ParkCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Action Items # 04.
Copyrighted
February 5, 2024
ITEM TITLE: Dubuque Trees Forever Community Orchard Proposal for Caledonia
Park
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of the concept plan
for Caledonia Park and allow staff to continue to work with Dubuque
Trees Forever to create a community orchard and pollinator garden at
that park.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Concept Plan Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Dubuque Trees Forever Community Orchard Proposal for Caledonia Park
DATE: January 30, 2024
Leisure Services Director Marie Ware is recommending City Council approval of the
concept plan for Caledonia Park and allow staff to continue to work with Dubuque Trees
Forever to create a community orchard and pollinator garden at that park.
The Park and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the preliminary concept
for use of the space for a community orchard. The plan will undergo further review such
as the City's design review process prior to a project moving forward.
Dubuque Trees Forever would construct and maintain the space. The intent is to
provide fresh grown food for the local neighborhoods and the community. The pollinator
plants will also allow people of all ages to enjoy the birds, bees, and butterflies that are
attracted to the plants.
Laura Roussell, Executive Director of Dubuque Trees Forever shared the preliminary
concept plan with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission at their Tuesday
January 23rd, 2024, meeting. Roussell informed the Commission that Dubuque Trees
Forever plans to engage the neighborhoods for this project. Westminster Church as
well as students and teachers from the Alta Vista Campus are also interested in the
project. Boy Scouts might engage in Eagle Scout projects to help complete the
proposed walkways.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Director
Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
Gina Bell, Director of Sustainability
Wally Wernimont, Planning Services Director
Jared Charland, Project and Facilities Manager
THE CITY OF
DUITB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Director
Dubuque
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SUBJECT: Dubuque Trees Forever Community Orchard Proposal for Caledonia Park
DATE: January 30, 2024
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to provide information related to a proposed community
orchard in Caledonia Park.
DISCUSSION
Dubuque Trees Forever is proposing a community orchard to replace a small green
open space located at the intersection of Hill Street and Caledonia Ave. The area is
named Caledonia Park. Caledonia Park dates back to 1917 when the Dubuque Park
Board purchased it for $3,500. There are no records of prior development of this park
area.
The space is currently a small grass area that is contract mowed for the Park Division.
The initial concept calls for 30 different varieties of fruit trees to be planted in place of
the green space. The center of the green space is intended to be planted with pollinator
plants through Dubuque County Conservation's Mowing to Monarchs program.
Dubuque Trees Forever would construct and maintain the space. The intent is to
provide fresh grown food for the local neighborhoods and the community. The pollinator
plants will also allow people of all ages to enjoy the birds, bees, and butterflies that are
attracted to the plants.
Laura Roussell, Executive Director of Dubuque Trees Forever shared the preliminary
concept plan with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission at their Tuesday
January 23rd, 2024 meeting. Roussell informed the Commission that Dubuque Trees
Forever plans to engage the neighborhoods for this project. Westminster Church as
well as students and teachers from the Alta Vista Campus are also interested in the
project. Boy Scouts might engage in Eagle Scout projects to help complete the
proposed walkways.
The Park and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the preliminary concept
for use of the space for a community orchard. The plan will undergo further review such
as the City's design review process prior to a project moving forward.
ACTION REQUESTED
We respectfully request approval of the concept plan for the park and allow staff to
continue to work with Dubuque Trees Forever to create a community orchard and
pollinator garden at Caledonia Park.
Prepared by Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
Attachments
cc: Gina Bell, Sustainability Director
Wally Wernimont, Planning Service Director
Jared Charland, Project and Facilities Manager
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