08/26/2026
🌳 Planting Today for a Greener Tomorrow 🌳
The Park Board and City recently received a state forestry grant to help remove diseased and dying ash trees from our parks and replace them with healthy new trees. The 3 entities- State Forestry, Park Board and City have been working on this plan for over a year.
With Emerald Ash Borer now present in North Dakota, maintaining a healthy, diverse tree canopy is more important than ever. By removing compromised trees and caring for the healthy ones, we have a better chance of limiting the spread of disease and protecting our beautiful community tree canopy for generations to come.
Many of the trees in our North and South Parks were originally planted much too close together. Over time, this has contributed to the spread of disease, compromised root systems, and limited the trees’ ability to reach their full potential. The state identified and marked trees that are compromised and in need of removal.
The grant will help cover tree removal, new trees, and planting supplies. But this project will take more than funding—it will take our community. We plan to rely heavily on volunteers to help plant, water, and nurture the new and replacement trees as they become established.
🌱 Just as those before us planted trees for the future, your Ray Park Board and City are also looking toward a greener future.
We are not simply removing trees—we are making room for the next generation of trees to grow.
Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern and helps us care for our parks and invest in the future of our community. 💚🌳
We expect park to be cleaned up by the weekend and digging, planting and watering in September- the Forestry Service will be guiding the process. Interested in volunteering?!? Let us know!!
