Pink beribboned trees brought home the reality of a wider highway through Park Rapids this week.
At the request of mayor Ted Godfrey, a crew from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) tied pink ribbons on trees that may need to be removed.
"It's a start," said MnDOT project manager Michael Coleman. "We will go back through and some trees may be all right."
Plans are to reconstruct Highway 34 through the city. In 2007, work will be done either from the Highway 34/71 intersection or the Fish Hook River bridge east. In 2008, the work will proceed west.
Earlier, Coleman estimated 140 trees would need to be taken out for the project.
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Coleman said MnDOT is work with the city and Highway 34 corridor committee on transplanting some of the tagged trees as part of the project.
"We're also looking at doing some plantings within the contract," Coleman added.
The city and Coleman also are considering applying for a MnDOT landscaping grant. The money could be used for design and materials. Volunteers would be needed for planting.
A committee of representatives from the city, the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association and other concerned residents has met for several months to address concerns about aesthetics along the corridor once the highway reconstruction is completed.
A Progress Park Rapids survey served as the basis for knowing it isn't only businesses that are concerned. Of 670 people who responded, 86 percent indicated they are concerned about the impact of growth on the community's aesthetics.
