St. Martins marks Arbor Day with lessons, activities for kids

ST. MARTINS, Mo. — Tree climbing, tree planting and tree identification were Friday activities celebrating Arbor Day at Niekamp Park in St. Martins.

After school children walked two-by-two along the edge of Business 50 with Cole County Sheriff escort, City Administrator Doug Reece explained to them the first Arbor Day was set April 10, 1872, in Nebraska.

“Other holidays honor the past. Arbor Day honors the future,” Reece quoted from founder Julius Morton. “Our goal is that the trees we have just planted will be enjoyed not only by you, but by your kids and your grandkids.”

Hentges Tree Service, which worked this spring removing old or unsafe trees at the park, provided a tree-climbing station for students to experience the safety devices professionals use.

“Trees are unique things, like humans; they grow, have sicknesses, good times and bad times,” said James Hentges, a certified arborist.

The Missouri Department of Conservation sent foresters Cory Gregg and Ann Koenig to plant two trees — a flowering crabapple and a sugar maple — and to teach students the process of identifying trees.

“We want them to take this day to recognize what trees do for them,” Koenig said. “We want them to appreciate what they may just be walking by now.

“It’s easy to take trees for granted.”

Similarly, Reece said he hopes the students and their families will enjoy the new trees and other improvements at Niekamp Park.

In the last three years, the sole park of St. Martins has seen more improvements than in its first 37 years, Reece said. Hugo and Mary Niekamp donated the park land in 1975.

Through the city’s parks budget, state and private grants, Eagle Scout projects and donations, the park is seeing increased use, even from visitors outside the city limits.

The conservation department provided the city with a tree plan, and a nearly $11,000 TRIM grant helped cover the cost of carrying out that plan, including removal of dead or dangerous trees and selection of 32 replacements.

A Recreational Trails Program grant through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources helped install a trail loop inside the park.

The Jefferson City Area Board of REALTORS provided funding for a drinking fountain, the Knights of Columbus helped cover the costs of making the restrooms ADA-compliant, an Eagle Scout installed the park welcome sign facing Verdant Lane, and community donations provided 10 benches scattered throughout the park.

The city added new playground equipment, and the pavilion’s lighting and electrical wiring has been updated.

“This is a nice, popular, old-fashioned park,” Reece said. “We have a plan in place so these kids’ kids will benefit.”