Fountain Hills Greening of Downtown Project In State of Arizona Centennial Kick Off Celebrat

March 22, 2011 - PRLog -- The Greening of Downtown Project enters Phase III as Arizona kicks off its official State Centennial year with a ceremony at the State Capital on Monday, February 14, 2011. Activities and projects all over the state will shape up over the next 12 months, culminating with a celebration marking Arizona’s 100th year as a state on February 14, 2012. Monday’s Centennial launch showcases a variety of official State Centennial projects and activities, which includes the Greening of Downtown initiative.  Jenny Willigrod and Carol Coates will represent the Greening committee and Fountain Hills at the official State Celebration.

The Greening of Downtown is a successful private/public initiative that has added shade trees to the performance pad and Veterans’ Memorial in Fountain Park and two educational low-water landscaping gardens during the first two phases of the project.  Funded by private, state, foundation and corporate gifts, the Greening project is a cooperative effort with a diverse committee of volunteers, the Town of Fountain Hills, the Chamber of Commerce and the Fountain Hills Civic and Cultural Association.

A special fundraising  “Green Tie Event” will be held March 12, and will feature a “Grape to Glass” wine tasting symposium featuring the wines of Fountain Hills’ own Lawrence Dunham Vineyards. There are both daytime and evening wine tasting sessions, and the cost is $25 per person.  To request more information, contact charaz@cox.net.

The individuals and organizations that have donated more than $80,000 during the first year of the project are commemorated on beautiful sculptural pillars in Fountain Park.  A second pillar which will also denote the launch of the Centennial Year with the names and sentiments of the 2010 donors will be installed in Fountain Park on February 14, 2011. Individuals who have purchased the plaques and commemorative leaves to help fund this project are encouraged to visit these striking additions to the public art in the Park.  The first pillar is now full, and individuals wishing to add to the Centennial legacy project can go on line at www.fountainhillscca.org and design and purchase their leaf with their message of choice.

Phase III of the greening project will concentrate on the addition of more mid-sized trees to the walking and recreational areas surrounding Town Lake.  As thousands of people use the Park each month, additional shade from the projected 100 “Centennial” trees extends the time of use in the Park by making walking and sitting areas more usable and attractive.  During the next phase of the project, handsome signage will be added to the low-water demonstration garden which will enable homeowners to identify a variety of non-thirsty plants for their yards and patios.  This welcome addition to the Greening project was mad possible in large part by a gift from Jerry and Jackie Miles of Fountain Hills.

For more information on the Greening of Downtown Project, go to www.fountainhillscca.org.  or view the slide show and video at www.fh.az.gov.

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