Beautification Committee Meeting notes 11/18//25

Attended:  Nancy Dunbar, Carole Betts,Tina Bickel, Sasha Kamper, Barb Mullin, Donisue Rupp, Jean Swanson, Terry Thielen, John Waters

Parks: Ashby – Nancy, Toni, Tina & Sasha planted 125 daffodils along the parking lot and near a bench in the woods, Beaverdale – annuals were removed, Westchester – annuals were removed, Bel-Aire and Palm Islands – John has removed his annuals, Holland island bed looks good thanks to Rita and Ron’s care

Trees: new memorial tree (Japanese Tree Lilac)is being watered by the Ashby/Wallace Lane neighbors. Buckets were removed from Marion Wissler’s memorial tree, Terry will check with family.  Carole presented research about the memorial trees: found 44 trees with plaques and replaced zip ties where needed. Compared with info in the tree book, there may be 16 missing trees that are either too big to have plaques or have died.  A possible event next year might include a Memorial Walk, a self-guided tour, yellow ribbons on memorial trees, a hanging sign with info about honoree, planting a tree to represent those trees no longer around, new plaques for any found missing. 

Urbandale median: Nancy picked up car parts near 49th Street that had been left after an accident.  According to Chris Coleman, there was no police report.  Two trees were removed in same area and stumps are now marked for removal.  

Streetscape: Winter greenery has now been placed in the Ironworks planters.  Dead streetscape trees that were removed have not replanted yet.

Flowers: Flowers ordered for spring will be picked up and planted in mid May.  Nancy will ask for repayment for bulbs she purchased for Ashby Park.

Bike Lanes on Urbandale Ave: Nancy attended a Bike Uprising meeting with Dan Fillius, and other parents who coordinate the Moore school bike bus rides on Wednesday mornings.  There is now an app to report Bike Lane obstructions in Des Moines. Seems like contacting property owners along bike lane and asking for cooperation during bike ride days could help.

BNA Board Meeting Dec 4: Nancy and Terry will attend to provide info about 2026 calendar and budget

Next meeting: January 20, 6pm dinner at Louie’s Wine Dive.  Will check back in January to make reservations.