ARBOR DAY RUN
The Wildflower Run is now the Arbor Day run scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2009. To register for race information please click on the Web site, www.arbordayrun.com
 

WONDERFUL WORLD OF WILDFLOWERS
The Plano Parks Foundation joined forces with the City of Plano in 1993 on a project designed to be the "gift that keeps giving and giving" - the Wonderful World of Wildflowers! What started out in 1991 as a City program that planted native wildflowers along a five-acre stretch of Spring Creek Parkway, has blossomed into an effort that now covers over one hundred acres of land.
The Goals

• To infuse selected area in parks and medians with colorful arrays of natural beauty to be enjoyed by everyone
• To plant and nurture the flowers indigenous to Plano and north Texas
• To provide and maintain a succession of annual blooms March
  through late summer
• Reduce the amount of acreage requiring mowing by the City, resulting in cost savings to tax payers

The Program

• Several species of native wildflowers are purchased (baby blue eyes, cornflowers, Mexican Hats, Texas Bluebonnets, tick seeds, and many others)
• Sites are selected based on visibility; soil and sun conditions; and citizen requests
• Super Seeders programs have also been started at a variety of schools in the Plano Independent School District providing a study area for science curriculums.

TREES FOR TOTS
This program is provided through a generous partnership with Medical Center of Plano. The program encourages new parents, family and friends to purchase a planted tree to commemorate the birth of a child. Trees are planted in a portion of Russell Creek Park adjacent to the playground and lake marked exclusively for "Tots" trees
General Facts

• Contributions of $265 or $345 include the tree, your personal recognition plaque, and tree maintenance
• Contributions of less that $200 go toward the purchase of additional trees, and the donor receives recognition on a group plaque mounted within the park
• Trees selected include live oak, red oak, bald cypress, cedar elm, sycamore, Texas ash, weeping willow, redbud, and crape myrtle based on availability
• Sponsors are notified in writing of the exact location of their tree in Russell Creek Park
• Trees are planted in the winter months, and will be maintained by the Plano Parks and Recreation Department

Adopt A Tree Form


MATCHING GRANTS
The Parks Foundation sponsors a program to provide assistance funds for worthwhile neighborhood projects, while assuring ongoing citizen involvement. Matching grants are available for neighborhoods, school organizations and others interested in additional development of their neighborhood parks and playgrounds. Eligible projects include tree plantings, neighborhood park improvements, and other special projects that match the mission of the Parks Foundation.

• A minimum of 50% finical participation in the project by the group applying is required. The Foundation may match up to $3000 per application which are reviewed each year in January and June.
• Eligible groups include Home Owner Associations, school groups and civic groups.
  Over $60,000 in funds have been distributed by the Plano Parks
  Foundation since 1983.