Pflugerville Rotarians heed call for planting trees

22 Sep 2017


Media

The Pflugerville Rotary Club is receiving financial assistance from the city’s development corporation to plant 55 trees at a city park and the city animal shelter early next year.

Through $4,088 grants from both the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation and Rotary International, local Rotarians will purchase and plant 40 trees at the 323-acre 1849 Park and 15 trees around the Pflugerville Animal Shelter facility.

Former mayor and Pflugerville Rotary President Jeff Coleman said the project stems from a challenge by Rotary International President Ian Riseley for every Rotary Club throughout the world to plant one tree per member.

“Instead of planting a little sprig in our backyard, we decided to do a service project for our entire community,” Coleman said.

As the sprawling 1849 Park is still under development, Coleman said Rotarians found it a good location to plant trees. He said Rotarians also had heard of the animal shelter needing more shade.

The city corporation offers challenge grants to assist a variety of community projects. In recent years, grant money allowed for extra shading in city parks and a safety console at the Pflugerville Police Department. Money has also been put into public park improvements in the Highland Park neighborhood.

City corporation Executive Director Amy Madison said challenge grant requests only receive approval if applicants show “skin in the game” by providing planning and new opportunities for residents.

The Rotary Club is scheduled to plant the trees Feb. 10 with city work crews digging the holes and Rotarians planting the trees. Coleman said the trees will be properly irrigated to keep them healthy.

The club regularly oversees community service projects. In April, Rotarians installed an outdoor shower near the sand volleyball courts at Pfluger Park. Other Rotaryprojects at the park have included updating electrical wiring, adding benches, installing a collapsible post and adding a second sand volleyball court.

Coleman said it is gratifying to be involved in projects bettering the community.

“We try to live our lives in a way to give back all the time,” he said. “To do a tangible project to help the community gives you a great feeling.”

For more information on the Rotary Club, visit fb.com/pflugervillerotary.com.

Mike Parker, Austin Statesman, statesman.com, 9/22/2017