Beautification Committee Meeting notes 3/17/26

Attended:  Nancy Dunbar, Barb Mullin, Jean Swanson, Terry Thielen, John Waters, Amanda Winklemann

Parks: Ashby – tennis courts have been removed, Nancy had inquiry about Girl Scouts helping with possible cleanup/planting,  Beaverdale – cleanup for Easter Egg Hunt will be scheduled for March 27 at 3:30, Westchester – no report, Bel-Aire and Palm Islands – John may be adding compost to improve soil, Holland island bed – cleaned up by city last fall

Trees: Nancy is waiting for buckets and tree guards to be replaced by city forestry, she will follow up with Shane.   There have been 2 requests for new memorial trees, have not had any updates.

Memorial Tree Walk: Committee members updated info about location of unlabeled trees. Terry presented a sample of waterproof paper that can be printed on that could be hung from a ribbon on memorial trees.  It was decided the best date for a Memorial Walk would be Sunday, May 24th. After discussing logistics of gathering info and printing, it was decided there was not enough time to complete it for many trees.  It was recommended to invite the public to a group walk starting at the brick Beaverdale sign. Parking could be available at Fareway and Credit Union.  Beautification members could lead group(s) to trees, share info, including history of median, first trees planted and notable memorial trees. Amanda offered to create free Eventbrite post on Facebook and help with creating publicity and info sheet that can be handed out at walk. We will still try to mark all memorial trees with a ribbon and leave it in place for 3-4 weeks.  Nancy will share idea with Shane at city forestry.

Urbandale median: Nancy continues to walk the median and pick up trash when weather allows. There are a lot of downed branches and mounds of grass and soil from snow plows. She will contact public works to try to address it before mowing season starts.

Streetscape:  Dead streetscape trees that were removed have not been replanted yet. Nancy will ask Shane McQuillan when they will be replaced.

Flowers: Flowers ordered for spring will be picked up and planted in mid May. Nancy and John are volunteering at the greenhouse.

Next BNA Social: April 1st at Edencrest 6-8pm, everyone welcome.  

Next meeting: April 21st at 6:30 at 4326 Hickman Road