Beautification Committee Meeting notes 4/21/26

Attended:  Carole Betts, Nancy Dunbar, Donna Foltman, Toni Hayes, Rita Minard, Barb Mullin, Donisue Rupp, Jean Swanson, Terry Thielen, John Waters

Parks: Ashby – tennis courts have been removed, Toni has been working on flower bed cleanup Beaverdale – annual bed will need prepping for planting, Westchester – roses are ready for pruning – John with assist Nancy, Bel-Aire and Palm Islands – John may be adding compost to improve soil, Holland island bed – plants added last fall didn’t survive

Trees: Nancy received tree guards and a water bag from city forestry. Still need 2 buckets for Marion’s tree. We will be planting a Japanese Tree Lilac in memory of Keith Minard on May 2 in the Urbandale Ave median just west of 44th Street starting at 10:30.  Nancy will mark the spot and contact Iowa One Call, bring tarp, shovel, water. A plaque was made for Keith and a replacement for Tom Vlassis’ tree.  Shane McQuillen has moved out of state, and we now need to fill out a permit online to plant a tree. Dan Just is filling in for Shane.

Memorial Tree Walk: Nancy printed fliers that Amanda had created to promote MemorialTree Walk on May 24, 2-4 pm. (Meet at Beaverdale Brick sign across from Fareway). Committee members each took some to post around the neighborhood. Nancy shared tree planting history info she found in archives of Register. Carole will try to compile info in a handout for the day of Walk. Donisue will contact Boesen’s about donating ribbon to mark memorial trees, gold for a dozen trees we will highlight, white for all others.

Urbandale median: Nancy and Mary Ellen continue to walk the median and pick up trash when weather allows. Nancy contacted public works about damage to the median by snow plows and provided photos of missing curbs.

Streetscape:  The beds in the streetscape have been cleaned up and mulched except for beds north of Ace Hardware.  Nancy contacted Cece and she reported that there is a new vendor taking care of it.  They did cut back nepeta at the intersection, as well as mulched the beds and the roses at the sign. Terry and Jean will prune roses. Dead streetscape trees that were removed have not been replanted yet. 

Flowers: Flowers ordered for spring (17.5 flats) will be picked up May 15 by Nancy and Terry.  Planting will start that morning in the park beds weather permitting. 

SCRUB: Volunteers are needed for two shifts May 16, 6:30 AM – 1 PM.

Next BNA Social: May 6 at Better Business Bureau 6-8pm, everyone welcome.  

Next meeting: May 19 at 6:30 at 4326 Hickman Road