Volunteers gathered Saturday morning for the first of several work days to plant trees and other items along the banks of Brushy Creek in Houston, where a walking trail is under development.
About 145 trees were planted today by those who gathered on property that once housed a redi-mix company. Earlier, the hillside was planted in wildflowers.
The area will make up a leg of the Village Trail, which is under development through the City of Houston. One area – through Emmett Kelly Park – was completed by the City of Houston and its park board. Other segments – financed by the Missouri Department of Transportation and Missouri Department of Natural Resources – are nearing work.
Volunteers dug holes, inserted special soil, added a tree that is protected by a blue tube. Over the top a netting was added.
Funds for the project came from a Top of the Ozarks Resource, Conservation and Development Grant, which was matched by the City of Houston. The tree stock came from a Missouri Department of Conservation nursery at Licking.
Volunteers also got a sneak preview of a portion of the trail that is finished, but hard to see from nearby streets.