Let’s Green Up Parker With Help from the Town’s Tree Reimbursement Program

If you are a Parker homeowner who is thinking about planting some trees this summer, you’ll want to check out the Town’s “Branching Out Parker” program.

Funded through existing money from developer impact fees, the program offers up to $300 to help pay for the purchase and installation of trees for single-family, owner-occupied residential properties within the Town limits.

Homeowners may submit one application per year. Individuals who own multiple single-family units can also participate in the program, but they may only apply for one of their properties.

Branching Out Parker is the Town’s way of encouraging people to plant trees – a cost-effective way for residents to enhance their neighborhoods and the community, and to improve the environment.

June 16, 2014, at 4 p.m., is the deadline for completed applications to be received by Erik Stadsvold at the Town of Parker, Parks and Recreation Department. Applications can be sent by email, mail or hand-delivered to Stadsvold at 20120 E. Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138.

Those who have been approved to receive the financial assistance will be notified the last week of June.

To help you out, the Town Parks, Forestry and Open Space Division has a list of recommended trees that are accepted under the program’s guidelines, based on their ability to survive in Parker’s climate and to resist disease. A list of prohibited trees is also available.

You’ll also want to consider buying your trees from vendors, licenses nurseries or landscape contractors within the Town of Parker limits. If you do, you will be reimbursed for that actual cost of the tree and its installation up to $300 or 50 percent of the actual cost of the tree and its installation, whichever is less. Trees purchased and installed from vendors located outside of Parker’s Town limits will be reimbursed up to $260 or 40 percent, whichever is less.

To me, it’s a no-brainer. I’ll be tree shopping shortly – as soon as I fill out my application.

If you want to join me in greening up Parker, you can find all the information you need at http://www.parkeronline.org/branchingoutparker.

Happy tree hunting!!