Tery Hursh
Physician Assistant and Clinic Owner
Dillon, MontanaTrees Bring People Downtown
Street trees are making downtown Dillon, Montana a destination, according to 20-year resident Tery Hursh.
Businesses and civic organizations in the 4,132-person town have joined with the Dillon Tree Board to plant trees and enhance the landscaping along Atlantic Street in the downtown business corridor.
City leaders see the new trees as an example of how the expertise and commitment of the Tree Board has shown the city the value of trees, while adding vibrancy and foot traffic to the downtown corridor.
"I hear positive comments every week from patients about the beauty that the trees have brought to downtown," says Tery, who works in the area.
Citizen participation helped make the transformation happen. In one weekend, more than 20 volunteers transformed that downtown street.
Funding for the trees was provided by a grant from Montana's Urban and Community Forestry Program. Were it not for this critical support, visitors and residents would lose out on the benefits of street trees in town's main commercial district.
"The trees have brought beauty, slowed erosion and made the community safer," Tery adds.