When Jerry Butler outlined a program to add green to the downtown at a recent Town Council study session, the general attitude toward the project was positive.

However, finding funding to let the idea take root is expected to pose a significant challenge.

The idea of planting more trees in Fountain Park and the downtown area to provide shade and a landscape update to make the area more attractive came from the Downtown Vision Plan completed earlier this year for the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Vitality Advisory Council.

Butler was tapped to head a citizens group charged with making such a greening plan a reality and he was before the council last week to report on early progress.

The plan is to initiate a major fundraising effort with the help of the Fountain Hills Civic and Cultural Association. The FHCCA is on board to help by offering a non-profit umbrella for donations.

However, town Parks and Recreation Director Mark Mayer is advising that the success of fundraising may depend on a quality demonstration project and design for potential donors to see what their money is going for.

Mayer said he believes it would cost about $15,000 for the architect, unless there is a resident with that background willing to volunteer their services to the project.

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

Councilman Henry Leger asked Town Manager Rick Davis if money could be used from the fund dedicated to downtown development and improvements.

There is about $1 million in that fund, but Davis said he would not be able to use it because there is nothing in this year’s budget that would allow for it.

However, Davis said he believes there is some money from the Capital Improvement Fund that will not be used for its budgeted purpose that will be available. Davis said that will require more review of finances before it is certain money is available.

Butler said the estimated cost of the overall project would be about $300,000, most of which they hope to raise in donations.

The FHCCA has proposed that the project be used as an Arizona Centennial Project and funding options be explored through that source.

The committee has also identified numerous logistical 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.

Mayer suggested they might be able to bring some disc golf people into the discussion to get their input on how the project might be used to improve the course.

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 in the east and southeast portion of the park.

Mayer said they want to focus the plans for the park toward the east and north because of the retail component for the park that is in the Vision Plan.

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

FHCCA President Boyce 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.

Mayer said what he would like to look at, 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 possibly allowing for benches or tables.

Butler said he would like to set goals such 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.

An initial goal is to get a demonstration project in the ground by April 2010.

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