Short Park Board Meeting Covers Native Grasses, Walking Trail, Cell Tower

Landscaping and planting natural grasses in Pere Marquette Park and a survey on improving the park’s walking trail took up most of the 20-minute meeting of the city of Ste. Genevieve Parks and Recreation Board on April 22.

The members have not yet met to walk the park and pick good locations to plant native grasses. The idea had long been discussed of planting native grasses in the park that would not require constant mowing. Wildflowers also could be added.

Board member Gerry Schwent said a couple of people had contacted him about the plan.

“They were kind of concerned,” he said. “They didn’t think we needed to do it. I explained to them that the biggest thing is, it would save on maintenance cost. They said, ‘I understand that, but we have a beautiful park. Let’s keep it beautiful. I think it’s just going to collect weeds.’”

He said another resident expressed concern about the AT&T cell tower that will be built in the park.

“I explained to him that it’s bringing in money we can use to make the park better,” Schwent said.

“Most people don’t even know that that piece of property it’s going on is in the park,” field operations supervisor Gary Roth said.

City administrator Martin Toma pointed out that planting the native grasses “is not irreversible” and could be removed if it is later deemed a nuisance.

See Complete Story in the May 1 edition of the Herald.