A component of the Downtown Vision Plan may take root as an Arizona state centennial project.

Last week a dozen interested citizens gathered under the Kiwanis Ramada at Fountain Park to discuss the “Greening of the Downtown.”

Jerry Butler is spearheading the effort, and he said the plan was originally included in the vision as a 1,000 trees for Fountain Park. That concept was reduced in number to around 750, and then the plan was expanded to include all of the downtown.

The meeting was the first for the committee with the idea to begin discussing ideas and concepts. It was members of the Fountain Hills Civic and Cultural Association that suggested the plan as a state centennial project. Arizona’s 100th anniversary is Feb. 12, 2012.

FHCCA President Boyce Baldwin said his group had discussed the idea and felt the concept would be a good fit for a centennial project. It was also discussed that the non-profit association could serve as a fundraising entity for the program.

Butler said they have identified numerous challenges for the project that must at least be kept in mind as the planning moves forward.

The disc golf course in Fountain Park has gained national acclaim and has been host to national tournaments. Butler said they need to keep that in mind particularly if the vision for something of a marketplace in the park becomes a reality.

Most people do not realize there is a dam and spillway containing Fountain Lake. Those items are under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Butler said. ADWR must approve of any plan that places trees along the dam or in the spillway area. Those structures are to the east, southeast portion of the park.

Town Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mayer said they want to focus the plans for the park toward the east and north because of the retail proposal in the Vision Plan.

They do not want to have to relocate or simply remove trees if commercial areas are developed along Saguaro Boulevard.

The expansion of the program to include vacant areas along Saguaro and Avenue of the Fountains was also discussed.

Baldwin said he liked the idea of including the vacant lots he described as “eyesores” in the downtown. There is also the reality that to do anything on those lots would require cooperation from property owners. There is also not likely to be any irrigation available to those areas.

Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Frank Ferrara said he believes there was a landscape plan developed for vacant property adjacent or part of the downtown Plat 208. He said if that still exists in some form it might be good plan to work with to include the private property.

John Gibson, a citizen involved in the project, said he believes a private donor plan is a good way to get vegetation for the project. Gibson said the local Verde Valley Nursery is willing to work with them and make trees available and plant them for individual citizens or groups that might want to donate.

Mayer said that while that is a good idea there are issues to be concerned about. He said they would like to use trees that are a minimum in a 36-inch box for the park. He said that allows for faster maturity, but may be cost prohibitive to individual donors.

Mayer said the 15-gallon trees that might cost from $75 to $100 simply take too long to mature in the park.

Mayer said what he would like to look at for the park, and it might also work well along the Avenue and Saguaro, is cluster landscaping. That would involve placing trees and bushes in smaller landscaped areas creating shade and possible allowing for benches or tables.

Mayer suggested the possibility of finding a landscape architect to work with them on some preliminary work. He said he has already talked to someone regarding a similar project and they are willing to do the work for a reasonable price.

It was also suggested they go back to Swaback Partners, who created the Vision Plan, and ask for help with the planning.

Butler said he would be making a presentation to the Town Council at a study session in November. He also said he would like to set goals as using Arbor Day to complete or celebrate some planting. He said he understands late April when Arbor Day is celebrated, is not an ideal time to plant in Arizona.

“Maybe we could get the planting done earlier and have a little celebration on Arbor Day,” Butler said.

The goal would be to have the project completed by the Arizona Centennial in 2012.