La Grande Fall Beautification Award Winners

LA GRANDE – (Release from the La Grande Parks Department) Fall Beautification Awards

The home of Julie and Tim Troutman, 1204 M Avenue received the City of La Grande fall
beautification award for a residential property. “When we purchased our home thirty years ago
there were no trees and not much else but a white picket fence,” said Julie Troutman, “it’s
changed a lot!” Gone is the white picket fence, replaced with an upcycled wrought iron fence
that provides a view of the garden beyond. A large elm tree shades the home that is set back from
the street, “So there’s lots of room for gardening’” said Troutman. The yard is filled with
plantings of shrubs, vines, perennials and annuals that are deer resistant. Troutman has found that
black-eyed Susan, lupine, spirea, Oregon grape, bleeding heart, echinacea, and false indigo stand
up to the deer. “Many of these plants have seeded in naturally,” she said. To make yard care
easier and more environmentally friendly Troutman highly recommends her battery-operated
lawn tools. Battery-powered mowers, trimmers and blowers are lighter than gas powered tools,
produce zero emissions, require less energy input to do the same amount of work, have less
maintenance, and there’s no risk of spilled gasoline. “My tools all use the same battery,” said
Troutman, “and they’re quiet.”

Grande Ronde Retirement Residence, 1809 Gekeler Lane, received the fall beautification award
for a commercial property. With over 50 deciduous and evergreen trees the Grande Ronde
Retirement Residence is an important part of La Grande’s community forest. “We use the
grounds for activities like the annual Easter egg hunt and the summer bar-b-que,” said Melody
Johnson, Executive Director, “it’s a beautiful campus.” Trees and green spaces provide
opportunities for recreation in urban areas and are critical for human health. The obvious benefits
are clean air quality and clean water. Now, research is showing that spending time with trees has
real, quantifiable health benefits, both mental and physical. Interacting with trees, or just looking
at trees, can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, accelerate recovery from
surgery or illness, increase energy level, strengthen the immune system and improve sleep.
Doctors across the United States are now prescribing spending time in nature to improve
physical and mental health. The efforts of the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence to plant,
maintain and preserve trees improves the livability of the City and the lives of its residents.
The purpose of the Beautification Awards Program is to recognize residential and commercial
properties that add to the beauty and diversity of La Grande’s environment. Nominations for this
award are made by members of the La Grande Landscape and Forestry Commission, city
employees, and citizens.

---

---

---

---

Elkhorn Media Group