WESTFIELD-As the city ramps up its 350th celebrations in the coming months – one project stands tall – the Tree-Mendous Tree Project.
Conceived by members of the 350th Special Projects Committee, the tree challenge to city residents is to nominate a tree that stands the test of time in one’s eyes.
“We value the fact that one of the assets of our city is the multitude of trees in our community and the value we place on them,” said Mary O’Connell, co-chair along with Peter Miller, of the Special Projects Committee.
O’Connell explained that committee members have been meeting monthly to discuss the logistics of the special projects planned. Members also include Jane Wensley, Pat Conant, Joanna Williams and Holly Robbins.
“We took a very large list of possible projects and melted it down to six special project ideas,” said O’Connell, adding that the tree project is one of the “major” projects that the committee is overseeing.
City residents have until April 15 to submit a “tree-mendous tree” photograph and description and email to either Peter Miller at [email protected] or O’Connell at [email protected]. Hard copies of the description and photograph can also be delivered to the Office of the Mayor, Court Street, Suite 200.
This majestic fir tree has been nominated in the Tree-Mendous Tree Project as part of the Westfield 350th celebration. (Submitted photo)
“We thought it might be a great idea to highlight the abundance of trees and our long history of nurturing our city trees by having a contest where residents could submit a picture and description of a tree in Westfield (either on private or public property) that is dear to them, either because it is beautiful, historic, or unusual,” said O’Connell.
Committee members will judge entries and choose the winning trees in the categories of historic, beauty, personal story, youth under age 12 and teen. From all entries, the committee will announce the first, second and third place prize winners in early May. The first place prize will have a $100 value and will include items from Westfield businesses including a gift certificate to a city restaurant. The second and third prizes will be restaurant gift certificates.
“We have some very exciting things going on in our city during the 350th year celebration but this one project is very near and dear to my heart,” said O’Connell, adding, “It allows everyone, children and adults, to participate and to be a part of the celebration.”
This tree has been nominated for the Tree-Mendous Tree Project challenge by a city resident who has enjoyed its beauty since childhood. (Submitted photo)
Some entries have already been posted on the Westfield 350th website – westfield350.org – including the “Enchanted Oak” at Stanley Park and a 50-foot fir tree at Old St. Nicholas Christmas Tree Farm in Westfield that could make history later this year.
O’Connell noted that an additional tree project starting this year will be a “massive undertaking” – the planting of many trees within the downtown neighborhoods.
“We are working on funding for this project,” said O’Connell. “I know that there are grants available for massive plantings in Environmental Justice neighborhoods.”
O’Connell added that Environmental Justice areas typically include a city’s downtown and lower income neighborhoods.
“This project will flow past our 350th year because, if we get the grant, it will be a massive tree planting project,” said O’Connell, adding, “We will probably start in the area behind City Hall and move into other areas downtown.”
In addition to the tree project, committee members are also putting the finishing touches on five other special projects this spring, including a city-wide treasure hunt which will run from May 1-18, featuring a challenge of completing puzzles and finding specific geographical locations, and a geocaching project organized by the Boy Scouts of America, Western Massachusetts Council.
Special projects also planned this spring include a family portrait legacy initiative that will require families to either send in pictures of themselves or participate during a designated time when Westfield Technical Academy students will work with professional photographer Andrea York to take family portraits.
“The pictures will be memorialized as part of the permanent Westfield 350 archives,” said O’Connell.
Also in the final stages is the construction of a permanent mural, 15’ x 3’, of Westfield scenes, designed and created by renowned artist Pat Conant. The mural will be metal on metal with a slight relief look, according to O’Connell, adding that the unveiling is planned for May 17.
“The committee received a very generous grant from the Westfield Cultural Council for the mural project for which we are extremely grateful,” said O’Connell.
Lastly, a time capsule project will house memorabilia from Westfield businesses and organizations.
“Jim Adams has donated two capsules and we already have some items from the Westfield YMCA, Columbia Manufacturing, several ladies social groups and some businesses,” said O’Connell, adding, “We will intern the capsules on May 15 at City Hall.”
For city residents interested in submitting an item for consideration for inclusion in the time capsules, contact either Miller or O’Connell via email prior to March 1.
As the clock ticks down to the city’s 350th birthday weekend May 17-19, civic leaders and local residents are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the historical milestone will be remembered by all for years to come.
“We have a great working committee and we feel proud of our projects,” said O’Connell.
