Pawling Community Foundation plants trees in the new boulevard median
By John M. Benson
June 4, 2007
Now adorned with new trees, new granite curbs and brick crossings, the median on Charles Colman Boulevard is considered Phase One of the Village Green Project.
Phase Two, the construction of the retaining wall, decorative cast-iron fence and finally the level Village Green, is to begin in late 2007 or early 2008.
The construction of the median, the trees and the installation were funded completely by the Pawling Community Foundation, the group of Pawling volunteers including Nancy Tanner, Bill Wixom, Charlie Daniels and others who have committed to raising the funds by donations and in-kind services to pay the engineering and construction costs without using taxpayer dollars.
Foundation spokesman Charlie Daniels applauded the completion of the median: “Phase one of the Community Green is nearing completion with the installation of fruit, ash, and cherry trees in the smaller median along Charles Colman Blvd. The tree planting comes on the heels of the sidewalk installation on the north end of the village. Our new gas lantern style street lights should be installed shortly as they have been on back order for some time now.”
Daniels looked ahead with optimism when he said, “Phase two of the Community Green will be the construction of the larger green, retaining wall and decorative fence, as well as the placement of the community pavilion and commemorative artwork. We are anticipating final NYS DOT and Metro North approval of the final design in the next 45 to 60 days. At that point, competitive bids can be solicited with an anticipated construction start date of late 2007 or early 2008.”
The sidewalk from Lumelite to the top of Christian Hill was also a phase of the Village Green Project, paid for largely out of the $300,000 in grant funding obtained by Senator Vinnie Leibell.
Mayor Rob Liffland and the Village Board have carried the project through much of its development.
Liffland said he is very pleased with the progress, and grateful to the Pawling Community Foundation, the Master Plan Steering Committee, and all of the volunteers and contributors who are making this project a reality: “The completion of the granite curbs and the planting of the new trees in the median on Charles Colman Boulevard is the completion of the latest phase of the project, and we are all very happy with the progress on the Village Green. We thank everyone involved, and there are many, for their support and hard work. We want to thank the Pawling Community Foundation and the Master Plan Steering Committee and all the volunteers who serve with those committees. We want to thank all the people who have supported the concept with not only their donations, but also their volunteering to serve on the committees and help the project to move along, and all of the people who are donating in-kind services and materials. Without all of those volunteers and contributors, this project would never get done. I want to thank the Village Board, because working together is so important in getting this project done.”
Daniels said the community as a whole and the Foundation in particular are indebted and grateful to the many people who are contributing time and effort, donations, materials and in-kind services to make the Village Green a reality.
As Daniels said, “We are very thankful to the Ziff family and Pawling Properties for the advice offered regarding the type and placement of trees to plant in an urban setting. The trees include crabapple ‘harvest gold’, featuring white blossoms in spring and small yellow fruit which stay on limbs, rather than fall to ground, green ash that is yellow in color in the fall, and sargent cherry with their pink blossoms in spring. We have been assured that all the trees for the median are hardy drought- and disease-resistant cultivars suitable for an urban setting. In addition to the expert advice regarding the landscape design, Pawling Properties also arranged for the procurement of the trees at a significant discount from the retail selling price of trees of this quality.
“The Foundation is cooperating with the Pawling Garden Club to allow them planting opportunities during the construction, as they always do such a wonderful job beautifying Pawling during the spring.
“The Pawling Community Foundation would also like to recognize and thank Pete Muroski of Native Landscapes who transported and planted the trees at his cost which also resulted in significant savings.
“A very special thank you is in order to Amie Rennolds and Bill McGuinness who have coordinated the landscape design and the plantings with Pawling Properties and the Village of Pawling engineers and contractors to insure the median was ready in time for the Memorial Day observance and parade.
“Lastly, I would like to thank Bob Murphy, Tracy Durkin, and Rob Liffland of our Village Board. Their tireless efforts to see this project through the various state bureaucratic hurdles has been Herculean.”
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