SMCF Street Beautification
Santa Margarita's streets need more trees! Walk around town and you will see many barren areas. It could be one of the places where old trees have been lost in recent years. For example, nine huge elms went down in one February 1997 storm. Many of Santa Margarita's aging trees are in sad shape. Some need to be removed and replaced. Some just need some special attention so that they can continue to serve as living symbols of the town's rich history. Volunteers are needed to begin planting and caring for street trees!

In a project spearheaded and sponsored by Nick Fortune, a local businessman, seven Raywood ash trees were planted along Encina St, between G and H St, on March 27,1999. Volunteers also worked to clean up the Demonstration Forest and planted a pair of coast redwoods there. Work crew, L to R: Nick Fortune, Timothy Avid, Karen and Tom Becker, Beverly Gingg, Austin Gorrill, David and Joseph Arndt, Simone Smith, Beth and Charley Gorrill. Workers and contributors not pictured: Joel and Terri Switzer Family, Heidi Petersen, George Sullivan, the Palofox Family ~ Oak Country Lumber crew, Donovan Anderson, Tony Ortega, Bow Valley Agri-Land Services, and Kaiser Sand and Gravel.

 

These July 1999 snapshots show new trees planted along Encina St., between G and H. Though the trees are still too young to show a dramatic effect, one can only imagine how much better this view (and the shade!) will be after the trees have matured. Thanks to Nick Fortune and a great team of volunteers for beautifying this busy street. Could this be the start of more volunteer efforts to plant and care for needed shade trees along the streets of Santa Margarita?