A Bozeman man is on a mission to spruce up the Lewis and Bark Dog Park—actually.
“I’m just amazed,” mentioned Andy Oliver. “It’s been an incredible response.”
What planted the seed in Oliver’s thoughts to boost money towards planting bushes at Lewis and Bark Dog Park was the unlucky passing of somebody very near him.
“My friend’s name was Kristin Burns,” mentioned Oliver. “The memorial suggestion was to plant a tree in her honor.”
But Oliver thought why not plant a bunch of bushes in her honor?
“It’s pretty barren out here,” mentioned Oliver. “There aren’t very many trees.”
So he made a take care of the town, that if he might give you the money to purchase the bushes, he might plant them.
He began a GoFundMe pledging to match the primary $400 raised. In only a few hours he raised $500.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 11:
“We’ve raised $1125,” mentioned Oliver. “If we get too much money, we’re gonna have too many trees to water—and that’s a part of the deal. We’ve got to water them for the next 2 years.”
Also part of the deal is discovering individuals who will assist water them, which Deputy Mayor Terry Cunningham says is a giant dedication.
“I personally helped water the existing trees in this park for two years with wheel barrels,” mentioned Cunningham. “I can attest that it’s a highly labor-intensive job.”
It’ll take 15 gallons of water per week to maintain the bushes alive, based on Cunningham.
“So, that’s three five-gallon buckets per tree,” mentioned Cunningham.
But even so, he’s encouraging volunteers to step as much as assist Andy Oliver.
“They’re going to take a long time to grow,” mentioned Oliver. They’ll be rising lengthy after I’m gone, but it surely’ll be good to say, ‘We did this.’”
Oliver has scheduled a gathering within the Dog Park on Oct. 14 at midday to debate the watering plan. To donate, you possibly can go to Oliver’s GoFundMe page.
