Faribault Central Park Holiday Trees Coming Down

Following the radio program Penansky was going to Central Park to join other city employees in taking down the holiday trees that have been up for a few weeks.

Last year with COVID there was no Hometown Holidays event in downtown Faribault so city staff came up with the idea of having businesses, non-profits and others bring a tree to the park and decorate the tree.

After two weeks last year, 16 trees were donated to St. Vincent De Paul in Faribault where they find needy families who receive the trees to enjoy for the holiday season.

This year Penansky says there were 37 trees.

I stopped by the park when they first were put up during the day and then I stopped and took some night photos.

The Faribault Parks and Recreation Director says with the more than doubling of trees they had to bring in a large power board like they do for Heritage Days so lights could be lit on all the trees.

There is plenty of room in Central Park for the activity to grow and Penansky believes it probably will continue to grow.

He says, "St. Vincent told us not to limit the number of trees which tells us there is still a great need out there to make some people's holidays brighter."

The huge blow-up Santa and Christmas Tree will remain in place near the historic Band Shell in Central Park.

Penansky also talks about the timeline for completion of Fleckenstein Bluffs Park. Hopefully by spring the bathroom, picnic shelter building will be constructed.

He says a committee has been tasked with coming up for a name for the newest city park between the Viaduct and Crooked Pint which I have affectionately called (Google Maps uses it too) Hammond Anderson Park.

I've suggested the park be named in honor of our first female Mayor Janette Hammond and City Council member Kymn Anderson.

You can listen to a podcast of the show below.