The Arboretum that Became a Neighborhood: An Exhibit, a Walking Tour and a Celebration

Do you have a favorite tree or tree in the Highland Park Neighborhood? Tell us about these in words and/or pictures! We'll show off your contributions. And what you send will also serve as a nomination for the "Walking Tour of the Ellwanger & Barry Arboretum and Highland Park Neighborhood", the production of which is now our goal. That’s because your Neighborhood Association is planning a small exhibit in celebration of our name change and new logo. The exhibit will be held at the Lower Reservoir Gatehouse in Highland Park, from May 10-18, 2008, during the lilac festival. The title is: "The Arboretum that became a Neighborhood" and it is about the living museum of trees within and around Highland Park and our area of the city.

Even as we decided to change the name of our neighborhood, many people requested that we continue to pay homage to our heritage that includes the historic Ellwanger & Barry nursery. That's where the exhibit starts…but it ends with you and in the present day. Our display will have four sections; the first is a graphical History of the Neighborhood from the 19th century Ellwanger & Barry nursery until the present, using maps, photos and text. Another part features the park’s historic reservoir. The two remaining sections will showcase community involvement via:

1) Stories, Photos and Reminiscences from Highland Park Neighborhood residents. Photos are appreciated but not necessary. Words are also welcomed, whether just a sentence or up to 500 per entry. So send us something about the trees around us and what these mean to you, whether just a snapshot of that oak you always picnic under in the park or a story about why the last Dogwood to bloom on Mt Vernon is a milepost on your nightly walk - or maybe a photo of the lonely lilac bush near which you got engaged. Together, we’ll highlight the special side of this neighborhood that involves our Arboreal "residents”. As mentioned, we also will design a walking tour of the more noteworthy trees in our park and neighborhood, so where appropriate, your entry will serve as a nomination for this project.

2) The last section is also a remembrance but of the Ice Storm of 1991 which had a huge impact on the canopy of trees in this area. Many us have still have dramatic photos of that Storm; this is a chance to show them.

As a small enticement, the first 100 contributors to the display and walking tour nomination will each receive a specially designed commemorative post card...one per contributor please.

Here are several ways to join in:

A) Via by e-mail to: hpn.association@gmail.com or to me directly at michaelino@gmail.com. Include your contact info and attach any digital photos that you want to submit.

B) Bring your materials to the next Neighborhood Meeting at April 22nd; we will have a nomination/entry instructions and forms available

C) Look for entry information on our website: http://www.ellwangerbarry.org/

D) Mail your contributions to:

Michael E Tomb

PO Box 39398

Rochester NY, 14604

On-line or mailed in contributions must be received by April 21st, 2008. After that, bring your contribution directly to the exhibit. While these deadlines are for inclusion in the exhibit, the “Nominate a Tree” campaign will continue for at least a few months longer until we feel we have enough material to complete the walking tour project.

Note: if you share a photo in advance with us, we plan to show a good quality reproduction so as to prevent damage to your original. We will return your original well before the exhibit. If you bring a photo to the exhibit, please make sure that it is your only copy, as we cannot guarantee its return.

So join in and tell us and show us as we celebrate our distinctive neighborhood!