By GINA KINSLOW
CAVE CITY — It’s tree planting time again.
The Cave City Chamber of Commerce is heading up a project that involves the planting of several species of dogwoods along Ky. 70 from Cave City to the entrance of Mammoth Cave National Park. The initial tree planting took place in 2008 with 30 trees being planted at Kentucky Action Park.
David Peterson with Caveland Environmental Authority came up with the idea for the tree planting.
Peterson said he had always noticed the high number of red bud trees that bloom in the spring along Ky. 70 from Cave City to the entrance to Mammoth Cave National Park and thought dogwood trees would be a nice addition that would further beautify the corridor.
“I really like the history of the dogwood trees on the religious side and I like their beauty in the spring,” he said.
So, he mentioned the idea to the Chamber of Commerce and said he appreciates the work that Gina Lyon, a member of the Chamber board of directors, has done to get the project started.
Following the initial planting, several community members expressed a desire to see the planting of the trees continue during a public forum regarding the beautification of the Ky. 70 corridor.
“It was decided that, ‘Yes, we need to continue planting trees,’” said Carol DeGroft, executive secretary of the Cave City Chamber of Commerce.
With the help of a grant, donations from community members and financial assistance from the chamber of commerce, 550 additional dogwoods trees were purchased and are now waiting to be planted as soon as weather permits.
Flags to mark the location where trees should be planted can be picked up at the chamber, as well as the trees. The chamber is hoping for help from volunteers to plant the trees.
“We’re hoping that a lot of people will take them and plant them themselves, however, if they can’t we will do some work days and get those done,” said Lyon. “We’ve got several people who have already volunteered to help with that.”
The purpose of planting the dogwoods along Ky. 70 to not only enhance the corridor, but to create a “beautiful passage way out to Mammoth Cave National Park,” DeGroft said.
“Hopefully, it will be the springboard for a spring festival,” she said.
For more information about the project, or to volunteer to plant some of the trees call the chamber at 773-5159.
