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PLANO PARKS FOUNDATION                     P O Box 860358 Plano, Texas 75086                             972-941-7250                                  The Plano Parks Foundation, founded in 1983, is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization providing support to parks and recreation programs and activities. The mission of the Parks Foundation is to preserve, protect, promote, and enhance the natural beauty and open spaces of Plano. WONDERFUL WORLD OF WILDFLOWERS The Plano Parks Foundation happily 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. Support for the Program is derived through the financial achievements of the annual Wildflower Run held each spring. Proceeds from the race are used to provide financial tools for the Parks and Recreation Department in planting and maintaining wildflower locations throughout the community. 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.