<![CDATA[Friends of Pulaski Park - Our Blog]]>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:46:06 +0700Weebly<![CDATA[Conservation Commission Meeting!]]>Thu, 07 May 2009 10:46:18 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2009/05/conservation-commission-meeting.htmlPlease visit our 'What's New' page for an update on our view clearing efforts.  We have a big meeting coming

]]><![CDATA[Argh!]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:26:09 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2009/04/argh.htmlI have written two blog posts that I KNOW I uploaded.  I KNOW I did.  And yet they are not here.  They are not even saved as drafts.

I use www.weebly.com to manage this site because it's nice looking and its free, a good combo for a small no.  But I'm experiencing an increasing number of technical FAILS. 

]]><![CDATA[Not What You Expect To See in Downtown Holyoke]]>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:31:12 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2009/01/not-what-you-expect-to-see-in-downtown-holyoke.html

That handsome brown girl on the left is Polly.  She's six.  The friend to her left is Jim.  He's eighteen.  They're both from Tetrault Farms in Hatfield (couldn't find a website.)  They visited Pulaski Park today as part of Catholic School Week.  Mater Dolorosa elementary school abuts the park and the kids loved the sleigh rides.   The horses were just beautiful.  Regal and eager to work.  Jeff, the owner's assistant, said the hardest thing to teach them is to just stand still. 

]]><![CDATA[Advertisement Policy]]>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:13:43 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2009/01/advertisement-policy.htmlHi folks!  I added Google AdSense to this page and I want to tell you that any and all AdSense revenue generated by this site goes to Friends of Pulaski Park.  

]]><![CDATA[Heritage Tree Grant Update]]>Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:04:54 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2009/01/heritage-tree-grant-update.htmlI talked to a Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) staff person last week about the Heritage Tree grant application FOPP submitted to support Pulaski Park.  According to DCR, the award decisions have been made, but the official announcement is waiting for sign-off from senior Department staff.  I'll let you know as soon as I hear.

]]><![CDATA[Well, the Weather Outside is Frightful...no wait, it's 65 Degrees...No, Wait, it's Frightful Again]]>Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:09:16 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2008/12/well-the-weather-outside-is-frightfulno-wait-its-65-degreesno-wait-its-frightful-again.htmlWhat an odd, odd winter we're having so far.  Pulaski Park continues to shine, no matter what the meteorologist predicts. 

When we still had snow on the ground, I cross country skied in the park.  It was really fun.  I made one giant loop around the main section of the park.  There were about 15-20 inches of snow in places.  Now I understand what they mean by 'packed and groomed.'  The first time around, creating the tracks, was hard work, but the second time around was a lot easier.  My dog enjoyed it too.  I meant to take pictures, but forgot.  Sorry!

Alas, the snow is no more.  But at least I have something to do locally the next time the white stuff flies.   

]]><![CDATA[Season Change, Views Change]]>Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:58:19 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2008/11/season-change-views-change.htmlWith the leaves mostly fallen, you can really see the river view at Pulaski Park today, for the first time since May.  It's quite a view. 

I finished the Heritage Tree application a few weeks ago and sent it to the Department of Conservation and Recreation in time to make the November  1 deadline.  I don't know how long their award process takes.  Friends of Pulaski Park applied for state matching funds to care for the largest trees in the park (a Heritage Tree is one with a circumference of at least 32 inches.)  We received support letters from the City of Holyoke, Representative Kane and Senator Knapik.  Friends of Pulaski Park paid Urban Forestry Solutions to identify the Heritage Trees, assess their condition and make specific recommendations for their care.  We then solicited bids from contractors to perform the work outlined in the report.  The report is called a "Needs Assessment."

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

]]><![CDATA[Wait! New Plan!]]>Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:46:51 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2008/11/wait-new-plan.html

I was walking around Pulaski Park this morning and discovered that we have been on the wrong path all along when it comes to clearing the view!  Let's just redirect the beavers.

The largest of these trees is EASILY 40 inches in circumfrence.  Now if we could just give them a taste for some lower hanging fruit, like hawthorne and bittersweet.

]]><![CDATA[A Big Step Forward, and How You Can Help!]]>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:43:05 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2008/10/a-big-step-forward-and-how-you-can-help.htmlI am delighted to write that PanAm Railways has completed all due diligence and is committed to working with FOPP to facilitate the invasive species removal and vista pruning on their property that will clear the view of the Connecticut River from Pulaski Park in downtown Holyoke.  PanAm Vice President, Roger Bergeron, is very enthusiastic about the project.

The process now enters the time-consuming 'Permitting' phase.  Despite still having a large amount of work in front of us, this step forward is very worth celebrating because I was told a year ago that coming this far was not possible.

Railroads have to file what's called a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) with the Massachusetts Division of Agriculture (I think it's the Agriculture Department.  I'm not actually sure about this.)  PanAm will file a request to amend its VMP to include invasive species removal and vista pruning on property adjacent to Pulaski Park.

Once the work is approved by whichever state agency must grant its blessing, FOPP, here locally, will begin our own permitting process  because we (working collaboratively with the Conservation Commission and Parks and Recreation Dept.) will actually fund and manage the removal and pruning process.

FOPP will need to file a Request for a Determination of Applicability, or a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Holyoke Conservation Commission and the DEP to authorize the actual work.  This is not difficult to do, but it is very time consuming.  I'm told that the permitting, review, hearings, etc to take about three months to complete. We're going to start this process concurrently with PanAm's VMP process.

You can HELP!!!!!  Community support is vital to this project! If you support our efforts, please write a letter outlining your use of the park, your interest in seeing the view, and send it to:
Friends of Pulaski Park
4 Open Square Way
Holyoke, MA 01040

Or, drop us a note on our 'Tell us Your Story' page.

]]><![CDATA[Passport Holyoke!]]>Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:07:07 +0700http://www.friendsofpulaskipark.org/1/post/2008/10/passport-holyoke.htmlFriends of Pulaski Park is the newest proud member of Passport Holyoke!  Passport Holyoke promotes all the cultural, recreational, and educational events happening in downtown Holyoke.   It is a great resource and a great group of people.  If you ever host an event in Holyoke, I encourage you to become a member.

PassportHolyoke.org
]]>