The Washington County Conservation Board is looking ahead to celebrating their 50th year of existence. In 1962, Washington County voters chose to create the board. At that time, five board members were appointed by the County Board of Supervisors. Their first meeting was the next year: 1963. Since then, the board has worked to acquire and maintain parks, pathways, playgrounds, and other conservation areas. They also do programs aimed at connecting residents with nature and the outdoors.
Conservation Board Executive Director Steve Anderson says that they have not made any specific plans yet regarding the anniversary, but they will discuss that issue at their meeting this next week.
The board is also looking to add to a project that was recently completed. A new concrete pedestrian pathway now connects Marr Park to Ainsworth, and they have received a grant that will help to add some landscaping to that pathway. Anderson says the Trees Forever Grant might cover landscaping beyond just adding trees and plants. But he says they also are mindful of what additional ongoing maintenance costs might be associated with any such work. The board’s monthly meeting is Wednesday at Marr Park.