HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-2025 Parks & Recreation Commission Iowa City
Parks and Recreation Commission
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
5:00 p.m. • '
Robert A. Lee Recreation Center— Meeting Room B CITY of Iowa CITY
220 S Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA 52240
Public Comment for each item will be limited to 3 minutes for each person and a total for no more than 30
minutes per item. Written comments submitted to parksandrecreation@iowa-city.orq, prior to 4 p.m. on
Monday,July 7, 2025, will be distributed to the Commission in advance of the meeting.
AGENDA
ITEM 1 CALL TO ORDER
ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF MAY 14, 2025, MINUTES
ITEM 3 PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The Commission cannot engage in discussion or debate. However, once the
commenter has left the stand, the Commission may ask staff to respond to
a concern or question posed by the public, or to follow up with the speaker.
ITEM 4 2026—2031 Parks Capital Improvement Projects Update—
Director Juli Seydell Johnson
ITEM 5 REPORT ON ITEMS FROM CITY STAFF
a) Parks and Recreation Director—Juli Seydell Johnson
b) Recreation Superintendent— Brad Barker
c) Parks and Forestry Superintendent—Tyler Baird
ITEM 6 CHAIRS REPORT
ITEM 7 COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ITEM 8 ADJOURN
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this program/event, please contact
Gabe Gotera, Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department at 319-356-5210 or ggotera@iowa-city.org.
Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
IOWA CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY
MINUTES OF MAY 14, 2025
ROBERT A. LEE RECREATION CENTER—MEETING ROOM B
Members Present: Connie Moore, Brian Morelli, Missie Forbes, Michael Gaunt, Rachel
McPherson,Alex Stanton
Members Absent: Virginia Hayes, Jeff Mallory, Caleb Recker
Staff Present: Tyler Baird, Gabe Gotera, Chris O'Brien
Others Present: John Morelli, Nancy Morelli, Mayor Bruce Teague, City Council Member
Oliver Weilein
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Moore called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
None
OTHER FORMAL ACTION:
Moved by Stanton, seconded by Gaunt, to approve the April 9, 2025, minutes.Motion
passed 5-0 (Haves,McPherson, Mallory, and Recker absent).
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:
None
Commissioner McPherson arrives at 5:04 p.m.
COMMISSION TIME/SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Commissioner McPherson asks for help from either the Commission or department staff with
collaborating ideas for how to make the interpretive sign at James Alan McPherson Park(JAM).
Supt. Baird gives context that the interpretive sign would be made for the park's namesake,
essayist and author, James Alan McPherson. McPherson says that the goal is to make the sign
informational and engaging to the public while remaining within the sign's word limit. Chair
Moore says that she would like to see it as a future agenda item. Moore is interested in signage at
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
May 14,2025
Page 2 of 3
parks named after a person that would explain who they were and why there were chosen for the
park's namesake. Vice Chair Morelli asks if there is a deadline for the JAM Park interpretive
sign. McPherson responds that ideally; the sign would've been complete two years prior.
Supt. Baird says that the City of Iowa City is updating the long-range Comprehensive Plan and
that the consultant group, Confluence, is wanting to include one member of the Parks and
Recreation Commission in a stakeholder interview. Baird asks if there is a commission member
that is interested in volunteering for this interview. Commissioner Gaunt volunteers to attend the
stakeholder interview.
PARK TOUR—Superintendent Tyler Baird
At 5:10 p.m. the Commission members along with City staff, Mayor Teague, Councilor Weilein,
and members of the public boarded the bus to go on the parks tour. The parks that were included
in the tour are the following:
• College Green Park—600 E College Street
• Hickory Hill Park: East Entrance—643 N 1 sc Avenue
• Calder Park—2831 Hickory Trail
• North Market Square Park—600 Fairchild Street
• Brookland Park—550 Greenwood Drive
• Adelaide Joy Rogers Park— 1001 Shannon Drive
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting/tour adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
May 14,2025
Page 3 of 3
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
ATTENDANCE RECORD
� � � Nt kr)
N N N N N N N N N N N N
NAME o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
N N N N N N N N N N N N
TERM N o, It
EXPIRES
N N M V Ii
Missie 12/31/25 NM X O/E X NM O/E NM X NM X X X
Forbes
Michael 12/31/28 * * * * * * * X NM X X X
Gaunt
Virginia 12/31/27 NM X X O/E NM O/E NM X NM X X O/E
Hayes
Jeff 12/31/28 * * * * * * * X NM X X O/E
Mallory
Rachel 12/31/26 NM X O/E O/E NM X NM O/E NM X O/E X
McPherson
Connie 12/31/25 NM X X X NM X NM X NM X X X
Moore
Brian 12/31/25 NM X X X NM X NM X NM X X X
Morelli
Caleb 12/31/26 NM X O/E X NM X NM X NM X O/E O/E
Recker
Alex 12/31/27 NM O/E X X NM X NM O/E NM X X X
Stanton
KEY: X= Present O =Absent O/E =Absent/Excused NM = No meeting
LQ =No meeting due to lack of quorum * = Not a member during this meeting
Robert A Lee Recreation Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - June 2025 (1 of 2)
Date 6-7a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a 10-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-5p 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals
Sun,June 1 12 4 0 0
Mon,June 2 7 4 5 7 12 6 7 48
Tue,June 3 5 7 6 5 5 7 2 37
Wed,June 4 7 4 6 5 8 9 9 48
Thu,June 5 3 3 3 4 13 5 4 35
Fri,June 6 5 7 6 5 8 7 6 5 0 0 44
Sat,June 7 4 6 9 4 4 11 2 12 2 54
Sun,June 8 19 6 0 0
Mon,June 9 9 2 3 11 4 8 3 40
Tue,June 10 6 5 6 3 5 5 2 32
Wed,June 11 7 3 4 9 9 5 0 37
Thu,June 12 8 8 4 3 9 7 7 46
Fri,June 13 7 2 3 10 10 8 5 9 1 0 45
Sat,June 14 5 1 3 9 6 3 4 1 0 32
Sun,June 15 12 19 1 0
Mon,June 16 6 3 5 3 13 11 2 43
Tue,June 17 11 6 9 9 15 8 2 60
Wed,June 18 6 5 2 13 14 10 4 54
Thu,June 19 5 3 5 7 8 11 1 40
Fri,June 20 6 2 2 3 9 12 7 19 1 1 41
Sat,June 21 5 5 5 4 9 3 3 2 0 36
Sun,June 22 39 17 0 0
Mon,June 23 8 5 7 6 6 11 6 49
Tue,June 24 7 6 11 8 27 5 7 71
Wed,June 25 4 2 9 9 12 9 8 53
Thu,June 26 6 4 8 9 26 8 3 64
Fri,June 27 10 6 5 9 14 4 4 29 8 0 52
Sat,June 28 5 2 5 9 4 7 10 6 2 50
Sun,June 29 19 10 1 0
Mon,June 30 7 4 4 9 9 8 8 49
Total Scans: 1079 Column Total: 1160
Averages: 38.7
$2 Swim.This quantity is not included in Daily Rec Totals
Facility closed for events/maintenance/holiday:
Robert A Lee Recreation Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - June 2025 (2 of 2)
Date Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim Lessons Event#Count Event Name Row Totals
Sun,June 1 0 16 $2 Swim 16
Mon,June 2 48 21 69
Tue,June 3 37 37
Wed,June 4 48 21 69
Thu,June 5 35 35
Fri,June 6 44 5 $2 Swim 49
Sat,June 7 54 1 55
Sun,June 8 0 25 $2 Swim 25
Mon,June 9 40 24 64
Tue,June 10 32 32
Wed,June 11 37 23 60
Thu,June 12 46 46
Fri,June 13 45 26 10 $2 Swim 81
Sat,June 14 32 32
Sun,June 15 0 75 32 $2 Swim 107
Mon,June 16 43 20 73 136
Tue,June 17 60 75 135
Wed,June 18 54 24 73 151
Thu,June 19 40 63 103
Fri,June 20 41 25 21 $2 Swim 87
Sat,June 21 36 36
Sun,June 22 0 72 56 $2 Swim 128
Mon,June 23 49 30 73 152
Tue,June 24 71 71 142
Wed,June 25 53 24 71 148
Thu,June 26 64 58 122
Fri,June 27 52 24 37 $2 Swim 113
Sat,June 28 50 50
Sun,June 29 0 68 30 $2 Swim 98
Mon,June 30 49 20 69
Column Totals: 1160 283 772 232 2447
Averages: 38.7 9.4 25.7 7.7 81.6
$2 Swim.This quantity is not included in Daily Rec Totals
Facility closed for events/maintenance/holiday:
Mercer Park Aquatic Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - June 2025 (1 of 2)
Date 6-7a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a 10-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-5p 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals
Sun,June 1 12 6 2 15 17 11 5 3 2 73
Mon,June 2 15 16 8 8 4 7 13 18 10 15 9 5 8 2 138
Tue,June 3 17 14 13 14 20 7 11 12 7 12 11 13 5 1 123
Wed,June 4 5 15 8 6 16 9 8 14 11 4 12 11 5 1 125
Thu,June 5 12 7 11 9 14 9 5 3 7 9 9 12 2 5 91
Fri,June 6 8 17 14 20 9 9 8 30 5 12 9 3 11 2 157
Sat,June 7 0
Sun,June 8 0
Mon,June 9 6 18 8 16 21 13 9 11 17 10 18 17 8 4 176
Tue,June 10 7 16 5 4 5 7 15 7 27 11 5 3 108
Wed,June 11 12 11 14 21 11 23 22 47 16 17 20 15 17 5 251
Thu,June 12 6 7 11 15 10 11 12 7 26 22 16 7 13 4 142
Fri,June 13 10 17 10 19 15 15 11 10 14 19 12 5 1 1 159
Sat,June 14 6 4 3 4 6 12 7 8 6 11 14 16 14 5 116
Sun,June 15 19 13 9 17 20 18 8 0 0 104
Mon,June 16 10 13 2 20 16 10 10 14 28 10 31 11 24 5 204
Tue,June 17 7 18 4 32 23 15 9 16 13 6 21 7 13 5 134
Wed,June 18 13 12 9 13 15 9 12 27 5 7 9 6 10 3 150
Thu,June 19 8 13 13 19 19 8 17 18 12 13 11 15 4 5 137
Fri,June 20 12 8 11 15 10 11 29 11 14 9 4 4 6 0 144
Sat,June 21 0 4 5 0 4 18 2 10 17 50 18 28 15 5 176
Sun,June 22 22 15 19 27 22 26 21 6 5 163
Mon,June 23 10 15 15 18 23 14 71 23 17 21 18 15 21 6 287
Tue,June 24 8 13 19 19 15 7 5 12 6 5 20 19 17 6 137
Wed,June 25 11 11 10 17 14 12 7 19 19 17 11 11 17 3 179
Thu,June 26 8 13 8 13 20 10 13 11 13 13 15 17 8 5 134
Fri,June 27 16 13 13 16 12 10 9 8 16 7 6 5 22 5 158
Sat,June 28 T 13 12 9 16 18 7 5 4 84
Sun,June 29 18 19 12 13 15 11 15 17 3 123
Mon,June 30 17 12 16 20 11 17 36 10 16 15 10 12 11 2 205
Total Scans: 3252 Column Total: 4178
Averages: 139.3
$2 Swim.This quantity is not included in Daily Rec Totals
Facility closed for events/maintenance/holiday:
ICE=92(includes masters)
Mercer Park Aquatic Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - June 2025 (2 of 2)
Date Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim Team Event#Count Event Name Row Totals
Sun,June 1 73 73
Mon,June 2 138 7 92 237
Tue,June 3 123 3 92 34 $2 Swim 252
Wed,June 4 125 92 217
Thu,June 5 91 4 92 23 $2 Swim 210
Fri,June 6 157 92 249
Sat,June 7 0 SWIM MEET 0
Sun,June 8 0 SWIM MEET 0
Mon,June 9 176 3 92 271
Tue,June 10 108 2 92 4 $2 Swim 206
Wed,June 11 251 92 343
Thu,June 12 142 4 92 25 $2 Swim 263
Fri,June 13 159 4 92 9 LGI Class 264
Sat,June 14 116 1 92 9 LGI Class 218
Sun,June 15 104 104
Mon,June 16 204 1 107 312
Tue,June 17 134 3 92 55 $2 Swim 284
Wed,June 18 150 107 257
Thu,June 19 137 5 102 38 $2 Swim 282
Fri,June 20 144 4 92 240
Sat,June 21 176 1 92 269
Sun,June 22 163 163
Mon,June 23 287 4 107 398
Tue,June 24 137 92 34 $2 Swim 263
Wed,June 25 179 107 286
Thu,June 26 134 102 33 $2 Swim 269
Fri,June 27 158 5 92 255
Sat,June 28 84 YOUTH TRI 84
Sun,June 29 123 123
Mon,June 30 205 5 107 317
Column Totals: 4178 56 2211 264 6709
Averages: 139.3 1.9 73.7 8.8 223.6
$2 Swim.This quantity is not included in Daily Rec Totals:
Facility closed for events/maintenance/holiday:
ICE=92(includes masters)
Community Foundation of Johnson County
City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation Accounts
Statement Activity
Iowa City Parks and Rec Charitable Giving Fund
May 01, 2025 - May 31, 2025
Beginning Balance: $46,615.14
Total Fund Income: $0.00
Total Fund Expenses: $1,627.19
Ending Balance: $44,987.95
Statement Activity
Iowa City Parks and Rec Endowment Fund
May 01, 2025 - May 31, 2025
Beginning Balance: $247,693.72
Total Fund Income: $12,673.42
Total Fund Expenses: $60.72
Ending Balance: $260,306.42
Iowa City Parks & Recreation Staff Report
July 2025
Upcoming Events
• Farmers Market—Saturdays, May—October; 7:30 am—Noon; Chauncey Swan Ramp
• Party in the Park series—Thursdays in June,July and August; 6:30-8 pm; various parks
• Play Daze series—Thursdays in June,July and August; 9:30-11:30 am;various parks
• Discovery Garden Parties—July 15,July 24, 2-3:30 pm; RAL
• Sensory Summer—July 12, 2-4 pm; Willow Creek Park
• Hydrant Party—July 17, 1-3 pm; Mercer Park
• Water Day of Play—July 19, 1-3 pm; Fairmeadows Park
• ADA Birthday Bash—July 26, 2-4 pm; Ned Ashton House
• Splash Pad Party—Aug 5,Wetherby Park, 6:30-8 pm
Notable from Parks & Recreation Staff
Parks:
• Staff had a good time hosting the Outdoor Youth Corps for a day in coordination with Johnson County
Conservation and the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County.The youth helped us with maintenance
at Sand Prairie Park, learned about our single track bike trail, and learned about careers in parks and
conservation.
• We did our second mow of Hwy1/6 before Independence Day which includes picking up trash along the
whole stretch.This is always a time when all parts of the parks and forestry division lend a hand to get
the job completed.
• Athletic complexes remain busy with many successful tournaments and will be hosting tournaments
most weekends for the remainder of the summer and into fall.
• The park improvement projects at Adelaide Joy Rogers, Brookland, Calder, and College Green are
progressing with College Green being the furthest along in construction. Parks staff will be installing the
playground structure at Adelaide Joy Rogers soon as that part of the project in being completed inhouse.
• There is a new interpretative panel with trail map at the entrance of Ryerson's Woods adjacent to the
park shelter.
• Seasonal staff are all onboarded for the season and help keep our operations running during the busy
growing months.
• The poured in place playground safety surface has been replaced in the Ped Mall. It was under warranty
and replaced at no cost to the City.
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report I City of Iowa City
• The trail and bridge replacement project on the Iowa River Corridor Trail near the Riverside Dr Dairy
Queen is underway and progressing.
Recreation:
• Recreation division staff have been assisting with STEAM/Arts/Nature program development and
implementation and summer camp planning while the Program Supervisor position remains vacant.
Staff are currently in the process of interviewing for this role and anticipate on having the selected
candidate begin in late August.
• Water-play events and various summer program series have been well-attended.
Facilities:
• Mercer-
o Pool roof
■ Bids are due July V.
■ Work will start fist week of August with substantial completion early September.
• Robert A Lee-
• Staff are starting to strip and wax floors in-between events and rentals.
o Lower-level lobby area is in the process of being repainted.
• Splashpads-
o Splash pads are up and running.
o Fairmeadows will have a closure for a day in July for repair on a feature.
• TTRA-
o Lodge and a H2O building will be undergoing a large staining project starting Mid July lasting
thru September.They will sand and clean the current surface and then reapply a new stain.
Cemetery:
• ADA work on the ramp/parking lot and the handrails on the ramp have been completed.
• ADA improvements on the upstairs bathroom will begin in July.
• Total Tree care have removed 3 large white oaks.
Top Staff Issues
Parks
• The heat has been a challenge. We were without air conditioning at our main shop during the worst of
the heat and are thankful we have new units keeping staff cool when they come in for lunch.
Recreation
• The recent heat wave along with its periodic severe weather has posed some challenges for outdoor
programming but only a minor number of cancellations have occurred.
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report I City of Iowa City
Cemetery:
• Staff has been busy mowing and trimming.
• Watering trees and newly planted grass has also been a priority.
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report I City of Iowa City
Oakland
Cemetery
FY 25 Revenue Report
** shaded areas represent previous Syr average
Revenue from Lot Sales Lot Sale Syr #of Interments Revenue 5-year Avg. Total Syr Avg. on
Average Interments Syr avg. from on Revenue total revenue
Interments Interments
July $2,700.00 $3,690.00 8 5.4 $4,885.00 $3,106.50 $7,585.00 $6,796.50
August $4,950.00 $7,871.50 7 7.2 $3,520.00 $4,106.50 $8,470.00 $11,978.00
Sept $900.00 $8,082.50 7 7.0 $3,027.50 $3,919.75 $3,927.50 $12,002.25
Oct $10,350.00 $12,342.00 7 7.6 $3,427.50 $4,103.50 $13,777.50 $16,445.50
Nov $1,800.00 $6,111.50 14 6.2 $7,287.50 $3,958.00 $9,087.50 $10,069.50
Dec $13,050 $2,745.50 3 5.0 $2,235.00 $3091.00 $15,285.00 $5.,836.50
Jan $1,800.00 $4,789.50 5 4.4 $2,567.50 $2,482.00 $4,367.50 $7,271.50
Feb $7,650.00 $4,940.00 2 3.6 $1,785.00 $2,623.00 $9,435.00 $7,563.00
March $13,050.00 $5,747.00 7 4.8 $4,247.50 $3,452.50 $17,297.50 $9,199.50
April $2,700.00 $4,812.50 7 4.4 $4,007.50 $2,631.50 $6,707.50 $7,444.00
May $8,100.00 $6106.00 13 6.8 $8,245.00 $3,156.00 $16,345.00 $9,262.00
June $6,750.00 $11,190.00 5 8.4 $1,590.00 $4,339.00 $8,340.00 $15,529.00
Totals $73,800.00 $78,428.00 85 70.8 $46,825.00 $40,969.25 $120,625.00 $119,397.25
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report City of Iowa City
LATE HANDOUTS - THE
FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS
WERE DISTRIBUTED AT
THE MEETING
apitol Projec ts Update
Parks Et Recreation Commission
July 9, 2025
Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks 8 Recreation
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Grand Opening - May 2026
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Terrell Mill Roller Park Timeline
Design Development - Complete
Permit Applications - US Army Corps of Engineers - Fall 2024 `
Grant Agreement with National Park Service - WiRteF,4.Pr;nrs 2025 On Hold
Bidding - I Me cnr;rn ltl4, immor 2025 On Hold
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College Green Park
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Brookland Park _
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Court Hill Trail - Complete a -T
Iowa River Trail Bridge - Started _ ... .
Mercer Aquatics Roof - Bid Awarded
Grant Wood Elementary Sidewalk - Fairmeadows P
Ped Mall Playground - Warranty
Replacement of Surfacing - Complete
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2025 Facilities Projects
Senior Center Exterior Doors Et Windows - Contract Awarded, Waiting on
Materials.
Senior Center Building Automation System (Climate Control) - Out for Bid
Animal Shelter Generator - Complete
Fire Station 2 Roof - In Design
City Hall 3rd Floor Et Fire Station 1 Remodel - Complete
Ashton House Roof Replacement - Complete
TTRA Buildings Exterior Staining - Contract Awarded
RALRC Intercom Replacement - Complete
RALRC Interior Painting - Lower Level - Complete
2026 CIP Projects
• R4227 Highway 6 Trail Broadway to Fairmeadows $ 1 ,700,000
• R4362 Napoleon Softball Fields 5-8 Renovations $600,000 - in Design
• R4389 North Market Square Park Playground Replacement $30 ,0
n Design
• R4403 Carson Lake Park Retention Basin $2 ,450,000
• R4346 Palisades Park Development $250,000
• R4358 City Park Shelters Et Restroom Replacement $1 ,450,000 In Desi
• R4419 Park Paving Improvements $380,000 - Mercer Athletic Parkin
• R4130 Et 4380 Park Et Tree Annual Improvements $80,000
2026 CIP Project - Continued
• R4408 Cemetery Columbarium Expansion $720,000
• R4412 Robert A. Lee Roof Repairs $905 ,000 - In Design
• R4129 Et R4388 City Hall Elevator Improvements and Annual Repairs
$450,000 (HVAC Unit replacement) - ' n Design I
• K1003 Senior Center Phase 1 Improvements $2, 300,000
• R4420 Ped Mall Fountain Renovations $500,000 - In Design
2027 CIP Projects
• R4206 Willow Creek Trail South of West High $200,000
• R4400 Mercer Park Shelter Replacement $ 150,000
• R4130 &t 4380 Park Et Tree Annual Improvements $ 1101000
• R4412 Rec Center Annual Improvements $50,000
• R4406 RALRC Structural Cable Repairs $250,000
2028 CIP Projects - $4 . 4 million
• R4384 Benton Hill Park Renovations $250,000
• R4421 Hwy 1 / Riverside Trail $750,000 '
• R4130 Et 4380 Park &t Tree Annual Improvements $130,000
• R4413 Indoor Pool UV Disinfectant Systems $ 150,000
• R4415 Mercer Lobby Et Classroom Roof Repairs $300,000
• R4412 Rec Center Annual Improvements $50,000
• K1004 Senior Center Phase 2 Interior Improvements $2 ,700,000
2029 CIP Projects - $2 . 3 million
• R4206 Trails $200,000
• R4390 Reno Street Park Renovations $300,000
• R4401 Parks Maintenance Storage Building $250,000
• R4418 Harlocke Hill Park Playground Replacement $75,000
• R4419 Park Paving Improvements $350,000 - Scott Park
• R4130 Et 4380 Park &t Tree Annual Improvements $130,000
• R4415 Mercer Scanlon Exterior Tuckpointing $700,000
Project Requests Not Funded
• Oak Grove Park Renovations $400,000
• Napoleon Park Softball Restroom &t Storage Renovations $500 0
• City Park Baseball Restroom Renovations $500,000
• Riverfront Crossing Band Shell and Storage Room $300,000
• Community Garden Enhancements $300,000
• South Hickory Hill Shelter Replacement $250,000
• Hickory Hill Park New Scott Boulevard Entrance $575 ,000
• Kickers Park Playground Replacement $ 150,000
• Court Hill Park Basketball Court Renovation $ 100,000 �
• Mercer Scanlon Tiled Floor Replacement $300,000
• City Park Roads and Parking Lot Replacements
CIP Unfunded List - More than 1 year
/ Fairmeadows Park Trail Loop - $ 125 , 000 �
Southgate Avenue - Iowa River Trail Connection - $400, 000
► Napoleon to RFX Park Trail Replacement - $720, 000
k Whispering Meadows Park Trail / Boardwalk Improvements - $250, 000
Riverfront Crossing Park, Phase 4 - $ 1 , 353 ,000
Riverfront Crossing Park, 2nd Restroom and Pedestrian Bridge - $ 1
Million
Ashton House, 2nd Parking Lot - $300, 000
Lower City Park Master Plan - $23 Million
k East Side Sports Complex - $ 14 Million
Iowa City Parks & Recreation Staff Report
June 2025
Upcoming Events
• Farmers Market—Saturdays, May—October; 7:30 am— Noon; Chauncey Swan Ramp
• Party in the Park series begins—Thursdays in June,July and August; 6:30-8 pm;various parks
• Play Daze series begins—Thursdays in June,July and August; 9:30-11:30 am;various parks
• Splash Pad Party—Thursday,June 19; 1-3 pm; Fairmeadows Park
• Hydrant Party—Thursday,June 26, 1-3 pm; Pheasant Ridge
• Discovery Garden Parties—Tuesday,June 17 and 24; 2-3:30 pm, RAL
Notable from Parks & Recreation Staff
Parks:
• As summer is beginning, we have transitioned from planting trees, perennials, and annuals to watering
and maintaining them.
• We did our first mow of Hwy1/6 before Memorial Day and will mow again before Independence Day.
• The crew specializing in park construction projects installed a new playground feature at Terry
Trueblood Recreation Area to add to the playground offerings.
• Athletic complexes remain busy with many successful tournaments.
• The park improvement projects at Adelaide Joy Rogers, Brookland, Calder, and College Green are
progressing with College Green being the furthest along in construction.
• Accessibility improvements at the entrance of Ryerson's Woods along with a new fence have been
completed.These projects increase access and help protect the resources in the park.
• Seasonal staff have all started and are essential to keeping the parks looking good during the busiest
months.
• A volunteer group from West High helped clear willows sprouting up at Terry Trueblood Recreation
Area.
• The horticulture crew has the downtown looking nice for all the summer festivals and events.
• We have kicked off design work for shelter and restroom improvements at City Park.
Recreation:
• Recreation division staff have been assisting with STEAM/Arts/Nature program development and
implementation and summer camp planning while the Program Supervisor position remains vacant.This
position has been posted for hiring and the application window closes June 12.
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report I City of Iowa City
Facilities:
• Mercer-
o We are in the design process to replace the Mercer Pool roof.
■ Project should bid in July with work to start in August.
• Robert A Lee/ Mercer-
o We are fully staffed.
• Splashpads-
o Splash pads are up and running.
o We do have a leak on the return side of the splash pad at Fairmeadows. We have a contractor
scheduled next week to make the repair.
Cemetery:
Top Staff Issues
Parks
• Our trash truck has been in the shop multiple times this month which slows down our garbage pick up in
parks and requires additional staffing to complete the job.
Recreation
• Staff have been busy prepping for summer programming and hiring sufficient levels of staffing.
Cemetery:
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report I City of Iowa City
Oakland
Cemetery
FY 25 Revenue Report
** shaded areas represent previous 5yr average
Revenue from Lot Sales Lot Sale 5yr #of Interments Revenue 5-year Avg. Total 5yr Avg. on
Average Interments 5yr avg. from on Revenue total
Interments Interments revenue
July $2,700.00 $3,690.00 8 5.4 $4,885.00 $3,106.50 $7,585.00 $6,796.50
August $4,950.00 $7,871.50 7 7.2 $3,520.00 $4,106.50 $8,470.00 $11,978.00
Sept $900.00 $8,082.50 7 7.0 $3,027.50 $3,919.75 $3,927.50 $12,002.25
Oct $10,350.00 $12,342.00 7 7.6 $3,427.50 $4,103.50 $13,777.50 $16,445.50
Nov $1,800.00 $6,111.50 14 6.2 $7,287.50 $3,958.00 $9,087.50 $10,069.50
Dec $13,050 $2,745.50 3 5.0 $2,235.00 $3091.00 $15,285.00 $5.,836.50
Jan $1,800.00 $4,789.50 5 4.4 $2,567.50 $2,482.00 $4,367.50 $7,271.50
Feb $7,650.00 $4,940.00 2 3.6 $1,785.00 $2,623.00 $9,435.00 $7,563.00
March $13,050.00 $5,747.00 7 4.8 $4,247.50 $3,452.50 $17,297.50 $9,199.50
April $2,700.00 $4,812.50 7 4.4 $4,007.50 $2,631.50 $6,707.50 $7,444.00
May
June
Totals $58,950.00 $61,141.00 67 55.6 $36,990.00 1 $33,474.25 1$95,940.001 $94,606.25
Iowa City Parks and Recreation Staff Report City of Iowa City
Community Foundation of Johnson County
City of Iowa City Parks and Recreation Accounts
Statement Activity
Iowa City Parks and Rec Charitable Giving Fund
April 01, 2025 -April 30, 2025
Beginning Balance: $49,659.46
Total Fund Income: $780.00
Total Fund Expenses: $3,824.32
Ending Balance: $46,615.14
Statement Activity
Iowa City Parks and Rec Endowment Fund
April 01, 2025 -April 30, 2025
Beginning Balance: $247,852.42
Total Fund Income: ($80.03)
Total Fund Expenses: $78.67
Ending Balance: $247,693.72
Robert A Lee Recreation Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - May 2025 (1 of 2)
Date 6-7a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a 10-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-5p 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals
Thu,May 1 8 5 8 7 6 10 0 44
Fri,May 2 5 5 3 10 8 7 5 5 4 0 43
Sat,May 3 5 3 5 4 8 1 6 3 2 37
Sun,May 4 11 0 1
Mon, May 5 9 0 2 7 6 12 4 40
Tue,May 6 5 6 10 4 6 9 4 44
Wed,May 7 7 3 0 9 7 7 4 37
Thu,May 8 5 3 4 7 13 9 2 43
Fri,May 9 8 3 3 18 7 6 2 6 1 1 47
Sat,May 10 4 2 6 2 4 2 3 7 1 31
Sun,May 11 15 5 0
Mon, May 12 7 2 4 10 5 17 2 47
Tue,May 13 3 5 7 6 7 9 4 41
Wed,May 14 6 4 3 8 6 7 3 37
Thu,May 15 6 4 7 5 9 6 3 40
Fri,May 16 8 2 4 4 7 8 5 28 5 0 38
Sat,May 17 5 10 5 3 5 6 9 0 0 43
Sun,May 18 18 13 3
Mon, May 19 6 4 1 9 6 10 4 40
Tue,May 20 5 6 4 3 8 9 3 38
Wed,May 21 4 5 2 5 11 11 4 42
Thu,May 22 3 5 4 5 6 5 6 34
Fri,May 23 4 4 2 6 8 6 4 12 1 0 34
Sat,May 24 3 3 5 5 8 2 6 4 0 36
Sun,May 25 8 17 2
Mon, May 26 3 1 7 2 7 15 5 40
Tue,May 27 3 1 7 2 7 15 5 40
Wed,May 28 4 6 5 6 7 11 4 43
Thu,May 29 7 3 0 12 8 13 2 45
Fri,May 30 3 7 2 9 8 12 5 6 0 0 46
Sat,May 31 3 3 7 5 3 4 3 5 0 1 1 33
Total Scans: 994 Column Total: 1083
Averages: 34.9
$2 Swim.This quantity is not included in Daily Rec Totals
Facility closed for events/maintenance/holiday
Robert A Lee Recreation Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - May 2025 (2 of 2)
Date Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim Lessons Event#Count Event Name Row Totals
Thu,May 1 44 51 95
Fri,May 2 43 21 9 $2 Swim 73
Sat,May 3 37 37
Sun,May 4 0 67 12 $2 Swim 79
Mon, May 5 40 30 70
Tue,May 6 44 44
Wed,May 7 37 20 57
Thu,May 8 43 43
Fri,May 9 47 6 8 $2 Swim 61
Sat,May 10 31 31
Sun,May 11 0 20 $2 Swim 20
Mon, May 12 47 28 75
Tue,May 13 41 41
Wed,May 14 37 22 59
Thu,May 15 40 40
Fri,May 16 38 24 33 $2 Swim 95
Sat,May 17 43 43
Sun,May 18 0 34 $2 Swim 34
Mon, May 19 40 26 66
Tue,May 20 38 38
Wed,May 21 42 24 66
Thu,May 22 34 34
Fri,May 23 34 24 13 $2 Swim 71
Sat,May 24 36 36
Sun,May 25 0 27 $2 Swim 27
Mon, May 26 40 19 59
Tue,May 27 40 40
Wed,May 28 43 28 71
Thu,May 29 45 45
Fri,May 30 46 6 6 $2 Swim 58
Sat,May 31 33 33
Column Totals: 1083 278 118 162 1641
Averages: 34.9 9.0 3.8 5.2 52.9
Mercer Park Aquatic Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - May 2025 (1 of 2)
Date 6-7a 7-8a 8-9a 9-10a 10-11a 11-12p 12-1p 1-2p 2-3p 3-4p 4-5p 5-6 p 6-7p 7-8p Daily Rec Totals
Thu,May 1 9 11 8 18 11 10 6 7 6 2 6 7 5 4 81
Fri,May 2 11 13 14 13 11 8 8 8 5 5 9 3 8 4 120
Sat,May 3 2 4 8 6 14 3 11 9 3 10 10 2 10 2 94
Sun,May 4 21 7 4 8 12 4 7 4 4 71
Mon, May 5 10 12 14 12 11 7 5 10 7 3 6 13 5 3 118
Tue,May 6 11 12 9 18 11 8 12 8 7 9 8 7 5 0 96
Wed,May 7 14 12 7 8 7 9 7 6 5 3 6 12 8 5 109
Thu,May 8 12 7 9 15 7 12 4 1 8 6 5 7 10 7 88
Fri,May 9 10 12 5 16 15 8 7 8 7 2 22 5 1 4 122
Sat,May 10 8 2 7 5 9 12 8 3 14 8 19 6 4 0 105
Sun,May 11 11 5 16 14 8 13 4 4 4 79
Mon, May 12 12 12 9 12 14 8 3 11 8 10 3 8 15 8 133
Tue,May 13 9 16 11 19 15 8 5 7 11 17 12 11 7 4 118
Wed,May 14 13 12 10 9 10 8 8 7 5 11 8 16 13 2 132
Thu,May 15 10 8 7 8 15 12 7 9 8 9 5 15 6 2 98
Fri,May 16 16 14 7 18 14 10 6 5 8 0 6 17 7 2 130
Sat,May 17
Sun,May 18 12 3 7 10 17 16 14 14 4 97
Mon, May 19 5 15 8 14 9 7 8 10 11 3 9 9 8 1 117
Tue,May 20 13 13 11 11 9 7 6 12 5 12 7 5 6 5 102
Wed,May 21 8 11 8 15 13 4 7 9 5 3 10 6 14 1 114
Thu,May 22 10 3 12 16 12 4 5 6 11 4 3 11 9 6 84
Fri,May 23 7 14 10 16 10 6 1 8 10 5 11 4 6 2 110
Sat,May 24 5 7 10 11 2 1 5 7 13 6 9 13 4 3 96
Sun,May 25 18 2 10 3 6 5 17 10 3 74
Mon, May 26 6 11 15 13 13 6 19 14 33 14 13 8 9 1 175
Tue,May 27 12 12 10 5 6 15 10 7 10 8 6 9 105
Wed,May 28 7 11 5 8 11 9 7 5 10 8 12 13 5 1 112
Thu,May 29 11 10 10 14 15 10 5 11 7 13 14 9 5 7 112
Fri,May 30 7 14 9 21 4 18 3 7 7 2 5 4 4 2 107
Sat,May 31 2 1 6 6 8 6 6 6 14 12 7 1 11 8 0 93
Total Scans: 2597 Column Total: 3192
Averages: 103.0
$2 Swim.This quantity is not included in Daily Rec Totals
Facility closed for events/maintenance/holiday
ICE=92(includes masters)
Mercer Park Aquatic Center - Indoor Swimming Pool Totals - May 2025 (2 of 2)
Date Daily Rec Totals Water Fitness Swim Team Event#Count Event Name Row Totals
Thu,May 1 81 92 29 $2 Swim 202
Fri,May 2 120 1 92 213
Sat,May 3 94 92 186
Sun,May 4 71 71
Mon, May 5 118 4 92 214
Tue,May 6 96 92 29 $2 Swim 217
Wed,May 7 109 92 201
Thu,May 8 88 92 22 $2 Swim 202
Fri,May 9 122 2 92 216
Sat,May 10 105 92 197
Sun,May 11 79 79
Mon, May 12 133 92 225
Tue,May 13 118 92 34 $2 Swim 244
Wed,May 14 132 92 224
Thu,May 15 98 92 23 $2 Swim 213
Fri,May 16 130 3 92 225
Sat,May 17 0 0
Sun,May 18 97 97
Mon, May 19 117 2 92 211
Tue,May 20 102 92 20 $2 Swim 214
Wed,May 21 114 92 206
Thu,May 22 84 92 28 $2 Swim 204
Fri,May 23 110 92 202
Sat,May 24 96 92 188
Sun,May 25 74 74
Mon, May 26 175 175
Tue,May 27 105 92 5 $2 Swim 202
Wed,May 28 112 92 204
Thu,May 29 112 92 29 $2 Swim 233
Fri,May 30 107 1 92 200
Sat,May 31 93 92 185
Column Totals: 3192 13 2300 219 5724
Averages: 103.0 0.4 74.2 7.1 184.6
Gabriel Gotera
From: Diane Allen <dlallenl6@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2025 11:52 AM
Cc: Tyler Baird; Steve Erickson; Eddie Rindenspacher;Juli Seydell Johnson; Geoff Fruin; Beth
Cody; Barbara Lee-Burkhart; Larry Allen; Natalie Benson; Dawn Bouslog
Subject: Week#2 at the Project GREEN Gardens, May 12, 2025
A
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Hi All,
Sorry I have taken so long to tell about our week#2 at the Project GREEN Gardens. Life has gotten in the
way(in a good way!) to write about our last work session. I will do better for week#3.
There were 14 Project GREEN volunteers in attendance for our second week together in 2025. They
were: Diane Allen, Sue Mullins, Chris Ostrander, Mary Laughlin, Nick Goergen, Jim Peters, Hetty Hall,
Erin Buscher, Monica Hoherz, Cindy Parsons, Rina Sjolund, Susan Ahrens, Lisa Haverkamp, and Pat
Yeggy. At 9 a.m. the temperature was 68 degrees, with 0.21 inches of rain reported for the month of May,
and the air quality was 49, described at "fair." Our goals for today included planting canna lilies and
elephant ears,watering, practice driving Fern (our John Deere Gator, and continuing work clearing
weeds. It was a busy two hours which added an extra hour each for four volunteers. Also volunteers
added 10 hours of extra time since week#1.
Volunteers took advantage of picnic tables on the Ashton House patio beginning at 8:30 to chat and sip
coffee before beginning our work session. We will do this weekly before our 9 a.m.work sessions. It was
fun and the new table was terrific!
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Picture 1: Project GREEN volunteers took turns practicing driving Fern. Picture 2: Erin Buscher enjoyed
finding beautiful peonies in bloom along Normandy Drive.
Here are the numbers after week#2 at the 2025 Project GREEN Gardens. Week#1 total hours +Week#2
total hours = 111 hours + 42 hours = 153 hours for Project GREEN volunteers 2025 total
hours! Many thanks to all!
There will be LOTS going on at the Gardens for week#3! At 8:30 a.m., we will gather for coffee on the
patio,with our three hour session beginning at 9 a.m. Bring tools for digging including spades and hand
tools. We will be busy until noon. We have five areas to plant: The Triangle, Quilt, Mary's Tree, Circle,
and Evelyn's Corner. Rina will be planting her containers. Cindy and I may have purchased more plants
than usual, so we will be looking for more places to plant beautiful flowers. Popsicles will be served on
the patio at noon.
4
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Our plants are waiting for us next to the garage door for planting. Cindy and I plan to paint lines in each
bed on Sunday showing where the plants belong. If we have time, we'll get the plants organized for each
bed. We will use Fern to move the plants and carry water. An ambitious goal, eh?
5
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Our next work session will be Monday, May 19 from 9 - 11 a.m. Don't forget about our coffee 8:30 a.m.
beforehand. Happy Gardening! Diane
9
Gabriel Gotera
From: Diane Allen <dlallen16@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2025 7:28 AM
Cc: Tyler Baird; Steve Erickson; Eddie Rindenspacher; Juli Seydell Johnson; Geoff Fruin; Beth
Cody; Barbara Lee-Burkhart; Larry Allen; Natalie Benson; Malory Smysor; Dawn Bouslog
Subject: Week 3, Project GREEN Gardens, Thursday 5/22 & Friday 5/23
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Hi All,
Project GREEN volunteers had two days of marathon planting this past week! Our temperatures were in
the low sixties with air quality good, 23. May, 2025 has accumulated 2.71 inches of rain in Iowa
City. Project GREEN volunteers are a busy group of gardeners. We needed to reschedule from our usual
Monday work session because of rain. Fortunately we had extra help from Master Gardeners on
Thursday. Our challenges included muddy conditions to dig, but we all had smiles on our faces as we
moved from one flower bed to another. After two days of digging, planting,watering we were finished
with the Triangle, Quilt, Mary's Tree, Circle, and Evelyn's Corner. These are all large beds and now are
filled with beautiful flowers from Pleasant Valley Greenhouses. Lots of work, but such wonderful
results! Passers-by on the hiking/biking trail often told us how beautiful the Gardens looked and gave us
Lots of thumbs up.
Our Thursday volunteers were: Chris Ostrander, Nick Goergen, Joel Wells MG, Kathy Hall MG, Linda
Schreiber MG, Evelyn Frey, Becky Hall, Hetty Hall, Pat Yeggy, Dhyana Kaufman, and Diane Allen. Our
Friday group included: Diane Allen, Mary Laughlin, Monica Hoherz, Susan Ahrens, Nick Goergen, Chris
Ostrander, Rina Sjolund, Hetty Hall, Evelyn Frey, and Becky Hall. What an amazing group of
gardeners! We used Fern (our Gator)to move plants to their new homes. Ed Rinderspacher(Project
GREEN's project manager) had prepared our beds which made planting so much easier. Our sessions
Lasted from 9 a.m. to noon, with many staying extra time. Kudos to our volunteers for their extraordinary
work! Please forgive me if your name was not included for week 3. The master gardeners'time (MG)with
us will not be included as their hours will apply to the Iowa City Ashton House Park.
Lots of extra time was spent preparing for our week 3 planting. Here's the list: Jim Peters -4 hours, Cindy
Parsons - 3 hours, Diane Allen - 8 hours, Larry Allen - 2 hours, Monica Hoherz -two hours, and Evelyn
Frey- 2 hours. I know there are more hours not recorded, so please let me know the time and date of the
extra work, dlallen16(d)hotmail.com.
If anyone took pictures Thursday and/or Friday would you please send them to me? For now, do yourself
a favor and head to the Project GREEN Gardens to see for yourself all that was accomplished. It's an
easy drive, 820 Park Road, and will be worth your time.
1
We still have plants (annuals and perennials)to plant into other places around the 8+ acres park. Please
mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 27 from 9- 11 a.m. for our week 4 session. If we have inclement
weather, I will be in touch by 7 a.m. Tuesday morning to cancel and reschedule.
Here are the numbers after week 3 at the Project GREEN Gardens. Weeks 1 -2 +Week 3 = 153 hours + 75
hours = 228 hours for Project GREEN Gardeners after three weeks
together! Many, many thanks to all.
Wishing everyone a nice Memorial Day weekend. Tuesday(if anyone is interested)we will meet at the
Ashton House patio, 8:30 a.m. for coffee (bring your own). Our work session will begin at 9 a.m. Until
then, happy gardening! Diane
I'I
i
2
Gabriel Gotera
From: Diane Allen <dlallen16@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2025 12:44 PM
Cc: Tyler Baird; Steve Erickson; Eddie Rindenspacher;Juli Seydell Johnson; Geoff Fruin; Beth
Cody; Barbara Lee-Burkhart; Larry Allen; Natalie Benson; Malory Smysor; Dawn Bouslog;
Ron and Susan Haffner
Subject: Week 4, 2025 Project GREEN Gardens, Tuesday May 27
Ar
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Hi All,
Here are pictures after our week 3 planting marathons. Thanks to Becky Hall and Linda Schreiber for
sending their pictures to share. The first picture shows one of the Dashes with a lovely, pink peony. The
second picture shows our newest flowerbed called "The Catalpa Bed". The third picture is another Dash
with spectacular blooming gas plants. The fourth picture shows the Circle being planted with white and
blue (purple) salvia. There are voodoo lilies in the center. The last picture shows the Quilt being
planted. This year we have a mixed selection of Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena) in the center with
tangerine marigolds around the frame of the Quilt.
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Project GREEN volunteers and one Master Gardener (MG) met Tuesday, May 27 from 9 - 11 a.m. This was
our official week 4 work session. It was 59 degrees at 9 a.m. with air quality 23 (good) and Iowa City had
accumulated 5.05 inches of May rain. Perfect weather for our time together.
We still had quite a few flats of annual and perennial plants to get into the ground. It was fun to find
needy places to pretty-up with plants around the 8+ acres of the park. Volunteers got to work, Fern was
fired up to transport plants to their new homes, and hoses pulled to water thirsty plants. Many
volunteers arrived early and stayed late. This 2025 year I will include credit for extra work and hours
working at the Gardens with my weekly narrative. For instance, Dhyana Kaufman has spent 21 extra
hours at the Gardens since week three's marathon plantings. Sue Mullins added 41/2 hours, Rina
Sjolund added 2 hours, and Monica Hoherz added 5 hours. Many thanks to each of you! Note to all, let
me know when and how many extra hours you've spent between each official work session,
dlallen16Cc)hotmail.com.
The volunteers for week 4 included: Diane Allen, Nick Goergen, Susan Ahrens, Linda Bergquist, Monica
Hoherz, Chris Ostrander, Cindy Parsons, Dhyana Kaufman, Linda Schreiber MG. Thirteen extra hours
were spent at our week 4 session. Please remember our Master Gardeners in attendance use their time
at the Project GREEN Gardens as volunteer hours at the Ashton House Park. Project GREEN appreciates
all the time spent making the Gardens beautiful!
Here are pictures from week 4. Picture 1: Nick is ready to deliver plants using our newest volunteer,
Fern. Isn't she a GREEN beauty? Picture 2: Susan continues work on the north garage flower bed. It's a
challenge to plant the middle area as an old Ashton House sidewalk under 4 inches of garden soil
remains. The old sidewalk is protected as part of the National Historical Home. Susan has plans to
make this bed worthy of a visit by anyone hiking/biking by. The apricot and yellow iris have been donated
by Susan and Ron Haffner. Picture 3: Chris weeded the bed along the driveway leading to the
garage. Lamium has been planted here for a few years thanks to Susan Ahrens's plant donations. Silver
Mound (a perennial)was planted amongst the Lamium and should be a nice addition. Notice how steep
the bed is and Chris is doing a great job staying upright. Picture 4: Chris and Cindy cut peony stems that
had fallen. They were very generous to give their best "Miss America" pose with the blooming peonies.
3
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Here are the numbers after four weeks working at the Project GREEN Gardens. Weeks 1 - 3 +Week 4
= 228 hours + 61 1/2 hours = 289 1 /2 hours for Project GREEN volunteer
hours. Congratulations and many thanks for all you've accomplished in the month of May. I hope
each and every one of you know how special you are.
Many thanks to Project GREEN's project manager, Ed Rindenspacher, for dropping by the Gardens
Tuesday. Ed was able to chat with volunteers about extra soil, mulch, and edging needed at the
flowerbeds. I believe this work will be done by Ed before our week 5 work session.
Also thanks to Mary Lowder for donating her garden hoses to Project GREEN.
Here is week 4's Picture of the Week. It shows a blooming white rhododendron and is spectacular! This
shrub can be found in the pachysandra bed along the drive to the parking lot. It's worth the drive to see it,
820 Park Rd.
4
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Please mark your calendar for June 2, 9 - 11 a.m. for our week 5 work session. Coffee time will begin on
the patio at 8:30 a.m. Until then, happy gardening! Diane
P.S. Is anyone available to water the newly planted flowerbeds? There's no rain in sight and
these plants are desperate for a long drink. I believe a couple volunteers could get these
beds watered in a few hours. Please let me know if you can find some time to do this,
dlallen16Photmail.com or 319-430-6649.
5
Gabriel Gotera
From: Diane Allen <dlallen16@hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 7, 2025 1:22 PM
Cc: Tyler Baird; Steve Erickson; Eddie Rindenspacher; Juli Seydell Johnson; Geoff Fruin; Beth
Cody; Barbara Lee-Burkhart; Larry Allen; Natalie Benson; Malory Smysor; Dawn Bouslog
Subject: Week 5, Project GREEN Gardens, Monday June 2, 2025
Ar
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Hi All,
We had a wonderful day of gardening this past Monday, which began week#5 at the Gardens. June 2nd
at 9 a.m. had 69-degree temps with air quality 53, described as moderate. The Canadian fires continue
to burn which fill our Iowa skies with smoke. I plan to keep track of Iowa City's rainfall monthly this
season. There were 0-inches of Iowa City rain for the month of 2025, June.
Our coffee group met at 8:30 a.m. and the 1/2 hour together was delightful. Please consider joining our
group this next Monday morning at 8:30. I'll be bringing donuts to celebrate my June 7
birthday. Remember to bring your own coffee/drink. There are two picnic tables at the Ashton House
patio, so plenty of room for all!
Here are our goals for week#5. The Dashes needed to be watered. We do not have enough hose lengths
or muscle strength to get water to each of the 7 Dashes. Fortunately we have Fern! It was so much
easier to fill many gallon containers on the backend of Fern to transport to each of the Dashes for healthy
drinks. Voila and whoopee! Our second goal was to get all the remaining flats of annuals and a few
perennials planted. Peonies and Iris were deadheaded. Weeding and planting on the "Front Porch"was
continued and lots of watering for flowerbeds. I will explain why the plantings along the Park Road north
sidewalk are called the "Front Porch" next week and get pictures.
Volunteers who worked extra hours since week#4 are: Diane and Larry Allen each watered 3 1/2 hours
on Friday, May 30, Cindy Parsons watered 2 hours on Saturday, May 31 and Nick Goergen helped with the
water system 1 hour on Friday, May 30. Many thanks to each of these volunteers for going"above and
beyond" our usual weekly 2 hours. Remember to record any extra Project GREEN Gardens work on our
sign-in sheet.
Volunteers in attendance for week#5 were: Diane Allen (4 hours), Nick Goergen, Rina Sjolund, Monica
Hoherz (4 hours), Jim Peters (4 hours), Pat Yeggy, Susan Ahrens, Evelyn Frey.
Susan Ahrens put the final touches on the north side of the garage flowerbed. It looks spectacular! Can
you see the Red Rider wagon filled with blooming Lantana? Rina Sjolund takes care of all the containers
at the Gardens. When dropping by to see it, try to find the second Red Rider Wagon Rina planted. Notice
the two picnic tables on the patio.
i
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Here are the numbers after week#5 at the Project GREEN Gardens. Weeks 1 -4 +Week 5 = 289 1/2
hours + 32 hours = 321 1 /2 hours for 2025 Project GREEN Gardens
volunteers! Congratulations and many thanks to each of you. Our efforts to make the Gardens a
special and beautiful place to pass through or sit and stay a while make a huge difference in our Iowa
City community. It's a treat to work with each and everyone of you.
Please mark Saturday, June 28 (4 - 8 p.m.) and Sunday, June 29 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) on your calendars for
Project GREEN's 2025 Open Gardens Weekend. Project GREEN Gardens will once again be the
headquarters for this event. I will have a sign-up sheet next week for any volunteers who are able to help
during part oral[of these two days. It's a fun time to be together and welcome visitors to the
Gardens. We will handout maps showing our eight sponsors and over 20 private gardens to visit. Project
GREEN volunteers will give guided tours of our Gardens to groups.
2
i
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend! Hope to see lots of volunteers at our next work session, Monday
June 9 from 9 - 11 a.m. Until then, happy gardening! Diane
3
Gabriel Gotera
From: Diane Allen <dlallenl6@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2025 12:59 PM
Cc: Tyler Baird; Steve Erickson; Eddie Rindenspacher;Juli Seydell Johnson; Geoff Fruin; Beth
Cody; Barbara Lee-Burkhart; Larry Allen; Natalie Benson; Malory Smysor; Dawn Bouslog
Subject: Week 6, Monday, June 9, 2025 Project GREEN Gardens (PGG)
A
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attachments.**
This message is from an external sender.
Hi All,
Our PGG work is going quickly this year. We are remembering week 6's challenge of watering the 2025
Gardens which explains how we have over 300 volunteer hours together. Johnson County is now
considered 100% as "Abnormally Dry" according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. It's possible we will need
to water more than once/week Many thanks to Project GREEN volunteers by(extra) caring for our plants
during the hot/dry weeks of June. Many thanks to Jim Peters by arranging hoses at each earth pocket
watering system available to volunteers. We now have enough hoses to water nearly all the
flowerbeds. The only beds outside of hose lengths are our Dashes. I know Jim wants to get enough
hoses to water all 7 Dashes. Project GREEN appreciates donations of gardening supplies (in good shape)
from our very generous donors! Recently we were surprised with hoses left inside the garage.
Project GREEN volunteers started arriving early on Monday, June 9. It was a cool morning with 62-degree
temperature. The air quality was 54, which meant, "Get inside if trouble breathing or throat
irritation." Iowa City precipitation remains at 0.72 inches, the same as last week. When arriving early,
volunteers head to the patio and its two picnic tables. This Monday I brought freshly made (Hy-Vee)
donuts to celebrate my birthday with Project GREEN friends. By 9 a.m. we moved to the driveway to
make plans for our morning together. Tops on our list of to-do chores was WATERING PLANTS. It's a
relief to have thick inches of mulch around each plant and hopefully Mother Nature will help us soon by
raining. Our other Monday morning goals were: clearing leaves from around the south and east side of
the Ashton House, planting two new goat's beard plants in the Arch bed, continue weeding all beds, and
placing labels in each bed. It was an ambitious list, but as usual, Project GREEN volunteers were able to
accomplish most.
Since last week two volunteers worked extra time at the Gardens. They were Susan Ahrens (2 1/2 hours
on Thursday) and Jim Peters (2 hours on Saturday). Volunteers who met Monday morning from 9 - 11
a.m. were: Diane Allen, Monica Hoherz, Erin Buscher, Nick Goergen, Rina Sjolund, Hetty Hall, Jim
Peters, Lisa Haverkamp, and Susan Ahrens. A few volunteers arrived early and stayed later for an extra 9
1/2 hours. As always it's a challenge to see when volunteers come and go. If anyone is overlooked,
please let me know!
I promised more information about the newest flower bed titled the "Front Porch." Since PGG has front
porch containers, this newest bed has been renamed, "Park Road Curb Garden." Here are two pictures
1
showing work along the Park Road sidewalk making this a welcoming site while walking or driving
by. Well done!
2
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Here are the numbers after week 6 at PGG. Weeks 1 - 5 +Week 6 = 321 1/2 hours + 32 hours = 353
1 /2 hours for Project GREEN volunteers after 6 weeks at the Project
GREEN Gardens! Congratulationstoall these extra ordinary gardeners.
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I will have a sign-up sheet tomorrow (June 16)forvolunteers to help with the Open Gardens Weekend,
June 28 (4-8 p.m.) and/orJune 29 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.). PGG will be the headquarters for visitors to pick up
their map to 22 private gardens, tour the PGG, provide cold water and/or restroom in AH lower level, and
answer questions. It's a lot of fun!
Hope to see lots of gardeners tomorrow morning as we begin week 7 at the Project GREEN
Gardens! Until then happy gardening! Diane
6
Gabriel Gotera
From: Diane Allen <dlallen16@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 3:19 PM
Cc: Tyler Baird; Steve Erickson; Eddie Rindenspacher;Juli Seydell Johnson; Geoff Fruin; Beth
Cody; Barbara Lee-Burkhart; Larry Allen; Natalie Benson; Malory Smysor
Subject: Week 7, June 16, 2025 at the Project GREEN Gardens (PGG)
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Hi All,
Gardeners began working at the PGG early for week 7. It was 75-degrees and muggy when I arrived at the
Project GREEN Gardens by 8:15 a.m. Two volunteers were watering different locations around the
Gardens beginning at 8 a.m. Some of our coffee group arrived early before the usual 8:30 a.m. time and
enjoyed sitting at picnic tables located on the Ashton House patio as others arrived. It's a fun 1/2 hour to
share a morning drink and chat about this and that. The two tables will easily seat 15, so please consider
joining our group.
Fourteen volunteers were in attendance for our seventh week working at the PGG. The air quality was 60,
considered "Moderate, acceptable." Our rainfall for June remains the same as last week, 0.72
inches. Those in attendance were: Diane Allen (8:15 - noon), Dhyana Kaufman (8 - 11:30 +June 9, 3
hours. Sorry to have missed you last week, Dhyana!), Linda Schreiber(master gardener), Nick Goergen,
Pat Yeggy, Jim Peters (3 1/2 hours), Linda Bergquist, Evelyn Frey( 9- noon), Monica Hoherz, Rina Sjolund,
Mary Laughlin, Hetty Hall(9 - 11:45), Chris Ostrander, Susan Ahrens. There was lots of extra time spent
at the Gardens since last week to record: Becky Hall(1 hour deadheading the line-out peony bed along
Normandy Drive), Larry and Diane Allen (total 1 hour, watered 2 new goat's beard plants on Tuesday
morning), Jim Peters (marathon watering June 12, Thursday June 12 for 4-hours). Wow, I'll need a
calculator to add all this numbers!
Our goals included: watering, signing-up to greet guests at the Open Gardens Weekend (OGW)June 28 or
29,weed, help Pat Yeggy place labels in flowerbeds, and filling the Little Free Library. Below find pictures
taken for week 7 at the Gardens.
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Picture 5: The empty debris bucket and cleared flowerbed represent many hours spent weeding this long
oval Garden. Picture 6: Susan Ahrens continues her quest to keep the ferns where they belong. This bed
is filled with perennial and annual plants and is located north of the AH garage. Picture 7: Evelyn Frey
and Pat Yeggy organize labels for each flowerbed. Our goal is to show visitors what can work for their
home gardens. Pat Yeggy makes the labels that are greatly appreciated at the PGG. Thanks Pat!),
Monica Hoherz carries debris to a tarp located at the end of the long driveway. Steve Erickson and his
crew with Iowa City's Parks and Recreation Department pick up the debris weekly and place the folded,
empty tarps in the garage to use again. Many thanks to Steve + crew!
Here are the numbers after 7 weeks work at the PGG. Weeks 1 - 6 +Week 7 =353 1/2 hours +41 1/2
hours = 395 hours for Project GREEN volunteers after 7-weeks working
3
at the Project GREEN Gardens! What an accomplishment for our very gifted and tireless
gardeners. Your efforts help to make our Iowa City a more beautiful place to visit and live. Well done and
thanks so much!
Here is our picture of the week. The lamium flowerbed planted three years ago needed some
improvements in 2025. Volunteers filled empty spaces with silver mound and Lantana plants. Doesn't it
look better? This bed is located at the entrance to the AH garage. Ignore the plastic containers in the
bottom right corner...
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Don't forget to sign-up as a Greeter at the Project GREEN Gardens Saturday, June 28 (4-8 p.m.) or
Sunday, June 29 (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.). Would anyone be willing to help the OGW with map distribution to our
business supporters? Give me a call(319-430-6649) or email me if you could help.We are hoping to get
maps to businesses this weekend.
Our week 8 work session will be Monday, June 23 from 9 - 11 a.m. Hope to see lots of volunteers as we
make preparations to show off the Project GREEN Gardens at the Open Gardens Weekend. Until then,
happy gardening! Diane
4
Gabriel Gotera
From: Diane Allen <dlallen16@hotmail.com>
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2025 6:13 PM
Cc: Tyler Baird; Steve Erickson; Eddie Rindenspacher; Juli Seydell Johnson; Geoff Fruin; Beth
Cody; Barbara Lee-Burkhart; Larry Allen; Natalie Benson; Malory Smysor
Subject: Week 8, June 23, 2025, at the Project GREEN Gardens (PGG)
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Hi All,
We've once again had an excellent week at the Project GREEN Gardens. Volunteers began their work
early to miss the heat coming for our Monday morning work session. By 9 a.m. it was 82 degrees and
rising. The 11 a.m. temperature was 86 degrees. Our air quality was 59, which was described as
"moderate." The June rainfall for Iowa City was 1.17 inches. I've found anew website to check rain
totals. Checkout mesonet.agron.iastate.edu. On the right side of the page, click"IEM GIS Rainfall" and
next page type in any address with the city, click return. Voila,you should see a 2025 chart showing dates
beginning January 1 then it will continue through the year. It seems to be accurate for my house and
hopefullyyours, too.
Our goals for week 8 were: WATER our thirsty plants, prepare each flowerbed to its prettiest for Open
Gardens Weekend (OGW)visitors to see, remove daffodils' leaves if yellow, help Pat with labels, sign-up
for OGW PGG greeters Saturday(4- 8 p.m.) and/or Sunday(10 a.m. -2 p.m.),fill the Little Free Library
with books, and clear sidewalks and driveway. Big list, easy for volunteers.
Since last Monday morning's session,volunteers accumulated 41/2 hours of extra time spent at the
Gardens. This week's volunteers were: Diane Allen, Nick Goergen, Rina Sjolund, Linda Bergquist, Susan
Ahrens, Mary Laughlin, Evelyn Frey, Chris Ostrander, Monica Hoherz, Lisa Haverkamp, Erin Buscher, Sue
Mullins, Pat Yeggy, and Cindy Parsons. 37 hours were spent caring for the beautiful gardens. There were
lots of people coming and going as the OGW hosts were dropping by to collect their yard sign and
directions for Saturday and Sunday. It's possible I missed volunteers arrival/departure times. Let's talk
about this next Monday. Volunteer time spent caring for 2025 PGG is important data and I'd like to make
it simpler collecting individual hours.
I plan to have a sign-in sheet Saturday and Sunday for volunteers to record their personal time spent as a
GREEN Greeter. Saturday's volunteers are: Diane Allen, Nick Goergen, Rina Sjolund, and Evelyn
Frey. Sunday's volunteers are: Diane Allen, Nick Goergen, Jim Peters (10 a.m. to noon),
Dhyana Kaufman (noon to 2 p.m.), Monica Hoherz (noon to 2 p.m.), and Lisa Haverkamp. The PGG are
the headquarters for the OGW, so please stop by if you can.
1
I took only one picture for week 8. Here it is. Every work session we collect LOTS of debris as we weed
the beds. Tarps are placed at the end of the long driveway and in front of Herky located on the west side
of the parking lot. Faithfully, Parks and Recreation Staff headed by Steve Erickson collect our debris, fold
the tarps and place them back in the garage to use the following week. Looking at the tarps as we
finished our week 8 work tells quite a story! Busy volunteers: pulling weeds, raking leaves, and once
again making the PGG neat and tidy and welcoming. Well done each of you!
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Here are the numbers after 8 weeks together at the PGG. Weeks 1 - 7 +Week 8 = 395 hours + 41 1/2
hours = 436 1 /2 hours for Project GREEN 2025 volunteers! congratulations and
bravo to each of you.
Hoping to seeing lots of Project GREEN volunteers during OGW! Our week 9 work session will be
Monday, June 30, from 9- 11 a.m. Happy gardening! Diane
3
Gabriel Gotera
From: Diane Allen <dlallenl6@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 6, 2025 2:10 PM
Cc: Tyler Baird; Steve Erickson; Eddie Rindenspacher; Juli Seydell Johnson; Geoff Fruin; Beth
Cody; Barbara Lee-Burkhart; Larry Allen; Natalie Benson; Malory Smysor;John Kramer;
Roger Swartz
Subject: Week 9, June 30, 2025 at the Project GREEN Gardens (PGG)
RISK
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H i All,
Has anyone noticed how quickly the corn is growing??? Nothing like hot, humid and now rainy weather
to help Iowa's corn grow, "Knee high by the Fourth of July."!
Our week 9 at the Gardens began at 9 a.m. with 77 degrees and ended at 11 a.m. with 81 degrees. The air
quality was 39, rated "Good"with our June rain at the Gardens totaling 2.18 inches. All good. As usual,
many volunteers started early and ended later than our stated times. Everyone was able to include their
individual times for me to estimate the volunteer hours spent at the Gardens. Thanks so much!
Lots of extra time was spent at the Gardens for week 8. Open Gardens Weekend (those in attendance:
Saturday, June 28 Larry Allen, Evelyn Frey, Rina Sjolund, Nick Goergen, Cindy Parsons, and Diane Allen &
Sunday, June 29: Jim Peters, Lisa Haverkamp, Nick Goergen, Cindy Parsons, Sue Mullins, Pat Yeggy, and
Diane Allen) garnered 41 volunteer hours by welcoming guests, handing out maps to OGW garden
hosts, giving tours, and providing cold water and pretzels for all. Time went quickly as we handed out
nearly 150 maps. Whew! Jim Peters spent 2 hours June 19, Sue Mullins spent 3 extra week 8 hours, and
Susan Ahrens added 1/2 extra hour working at the Gardens. Our Monday morning week 9 Project GREEN
volunteers were: Mary Laughlin, Jim Peters (3 hours), Rina Sjolund, Dhyana Kaufman (3 hours) Susan
Ahrens, Lisa Haverkamp, Sue Mullins (4 hours), Monica Hoherz, Evelyn Frey(3 hours), Chris Ostrander(3
hours), and Diane Allen (4 hours). My goodness, time goes quickly at the Gardens!
The following pictures tell our week 9 story.
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Work continues on the west side of the ramp leading to the house. Jim Peters has taken on clearing
weeds and over-grown Fragrant Sumac from this area. Thanks,Jim! Can you see the blooming Elder
bush-tree on the left side of the picture? Pollinators are busy with the flowers helping each to develop
into a small, purple-black, sour berry that will ripen from late-summer to fall. Check out the Elder bush-
tree at https //www woodlandtrust org uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-
british-trees/elder/.
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Along the sidewalk leading to the Ashton House (left,west side)there are quite a few Green Dragon
plants growing. I believe Cindy Parsons planted these a few years ago. Here is information
from: https://www.wiLdfLower.org/pLants/resuLt.php?id plant=ardr3.
10 Benefits of Having a Gasteria 'Green Dragon'
Air-purifying and stress-reducing, for a healthier, calmer home environment.
® Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, perfect for the forgetful plant parent.
Symbolizes resilience, adds unique aesthetic and conversational value.
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is Evelyn's Corner. It is located at the parking lot's SW corner. It is filled with labeled annual and
perennial plants and bushes. The corner Ann magnolias are now blooming for
the second time this 2025 season. Here is info about these beautiful bushes from The Arbor Day
Foundation:
The Ann magnolia is a delightful hybrid shrub form. The hardy specimen puts on a show in mid-
to late March, with a profusion of deep purple-red blooms that resemble tulips. As a shrub border
or specimen plant, the Ann magnolia will brighten any landscape.
• Produces impressive deep purple-red blooms that resemble tulips
• Blooms mid- to late March, with some blossoms reappearing in the summer
• Can be trained to grow as either a shrub or small tree
5
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The NW corner of the parking lot is the "Welcome to the Project GREEN Gardens"flowerbed. This year
the bed has been created and maintained by Sue Mullins. Each week the annual and perennial plants
grow and fill the space wonderfully. In the center is a new, dwarf 2025 ginkgo tree. This past winter a
deer raked the previous tree. Ed Rinderspacher, PG's project manager, planted this replacement tree
early spring. Notice the fencing around it,which will deter the deer. If it is not labeled, Pat Yeggy, our PG
Label maker and installer, will get it identified soon. A label will quickly follow.
Project GREEN would like an aerial picture of the 8+ acre park site. On it we could label named
flowerbeds, etc. for visitors to locate and enjoy. This "Welcome to the Project GREEN Gardens"
flowerbed would be a nice location to have maps inside a weather-safe container for visitors to
take. Anyone wanting to take on this idea?? Please let me know!
6
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Lastly a few PG volunteers cleared an eastside flowerbed during Monday's week 9. The two pink flags
show poison ivy growing. The right side has milkweed we saved for the monarch butterflies. Here's why:
"Why is Milkweed Important for Monarchs? Monarch caterpillars are picky eaters. They can only eat one
thing: milkweed. Milkweed is what we call their "host plant", meaning that the caterpillar depends on it
as a food source and cannot survive without it." Check out the milkweed plant by typing "Milkweed" as
the Google search subject. This flowerbed will be a PG volunteer bed. We will fill it with donated
variegated Solomon's seal. Any PG volunteer past or present will have their name placed on a metal
label like we use for plant IDs and included in this bed. This bed's size can be increased allowing for
more variegated Solomon's seal and PG volunteer names. The second picture shows variegated
Solomon's seal. If any volunteer would like to be in charge of this bed, please let me know.
Why variegated Solomon's seal?According to: U of A Division of Agriculture Logo Cooperative Extension
Service, "The name "Solomon's Seal" is taken from the shape of the scar on the rhizome where the stem
attaches. In some species this scar takes the shape of two overlapped triangles,which is the symbol
King Solomon, ruler of Israel from 961 to 931 BC, took to symbolize the union of body and soul." Also: "It
also does well on the north side of a house if no shade trees are available. While quite tolerant of drought
once established, the plants should be watered their first year after planting to ensure good
establishment. It makes an excellent companion plant with Hosta and other shade perennials. Be
patient with this beauty because it may take several years for the colony to form sufficient size to show
the beauty the plant has to provide." Also it is deer resistant, so far...
Here are the numbers after 9 weeks caring for the PGG. Weeks 1 - 8 + Week 9 =436 1/2 hours + 76 1/2
hours = 513 Hours for Project GREEN volunteers after 9 weeks at the
Project GREEN Gardens! Congratulations to each and everyone of you! You are special and
gifted gardeners.
Thankfully we had rain late yesterday afternoon (Saturday)through early (Sunday) morning. It'll be fun to
see how much rain was collected in our rain gauges this past week! Our week 10 work session will be
Monday, July 7 from 9 - 11 a.m. We will continue our quest to beautify the Gardens, not an easy, but
rewarding task. Hope to see lots of PG volunteers Monday morning. Until then, happy
gardening! Diane
8