As you drive into the City of Jamestown via Third Street, what is the first thing you notice? Perhaps, a more specific location is needed. How about the corridor of Third Street that runs from Hallock Street to Hall Avenue and includes landmarks such as Lind’s Funeral Home, the Warner Home, and Bethel Lutheran Church? For most people, the giant oak trees that line the street would be the first things that come to mind. There is a reason for this. The enormity, landscape, and overall beauty that those trees bring to that portion of Third Street creates a lasting image in one’s mind…an image that very much represents what the Community Foundation is all about. 

 

Trees can be considered the very essence of the word “forever”. They grow from a seed and develop for hundreds upon hundreds of years, far outliving a human life. The concept of endowment very much ties in with this. When an endowment is created at the Community Foundation, it starts with some “seed” money and grows over time. As long as the Community Foundation exists, the endowment continues to grow forever, serving not only the current generation but many generations to come. 

 

Coupling the relationship between a tree and the Community Foundation, and the fact that this past Friday was Arbor Day, the Community Foundation Board of Directors felt the timing was right to “plant a seed” now for the future. The Board did so by approving $10,000 to be granted to the City of Jamestown for a tree planting program along North Main Street. Specifically, this $10,000 will allow the city to plant over 70 trees, over the next two years, at identified locations running the length of North Main Street. 

 

The purpose of the grant is twofold. The first and most obvious reason is for beautification of the City landscape. Remembering the example of Third Street, with these plantings, North Main Street could one day be a landmark strip in the city because of these trees. Additionally, until then, they will provide vibrant spring blooms and summer greenery each year. 

 

The second purpose of the grant ties in with the City of Jamestown’s Urban Design Plan. The purpose of the Urban Design Plan is to bring revitalization to Jamestown through business development, development of city gateways, recreational opportunities, and an overall upgrade to the City landscape. While not directly related to the Urban Design Plan, this grant will provide beautification to one of Jamestown’s key entry points, North Main Street. Therefore, when visitors enter the city via this street, a lasting impression of Jamestown may be created in their minds due to the beauty of these trees. 

 

While this is one small project, it aims to make a difference in the overall landscape of the community. When the oak trees on Third Street were planted hundreds of years ago, perhaps, no one thought of the splendor they would bring to the City of Jamestown. It is the hope of the Community Foundation Board that the planting of the trees on North Main Street will expand that splendor, while creating a lasting image of beauty, forever.