New trees in store for Hooper Park

Hooper Park in Lincoln received an Arbor Day grant and additional funding from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

"Misty Edwards is kinda the county's liaison with the Park Board, and she knew they were interested in doing multiple upgrades for the park," said Ann McCauley, the Grants Administrator for Lewis and Clark County, who secured the grant and funding for the trees.

The grant is offered annually for tree plantings as part of the DNRC's Urban and Community Forestry program. The initial grant only covered the cost of about one tree, said McCauley, so she contacted the program manager at DNRC about additional funding.

"She was thrilled about doing trees in Lincoln," McCauley said.

The park was able to purchase eight trees to plant, said Lincoln Parks Board President Nyle Howsmon.

McCauley said the Lincoln Parks Board was looking at bur oak trees for the park, as they have a big canopy, are a legacy tree living for many decades, and can handle heavy snow loads.

The Lewis and Clark County Commission proclaimed May 15 as Arbor Day in Lincoln, and the park will celebrate with the tree planting and a park clean-up day to help get Hooper Park ready for visitors.