Thieves taking plants from Conneaut’s Malek Park

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

June 23, 2009 08:01 pm

— CONNEAUT — Thieves are helping themselves to young plants meant to beautify Malek Park, said Rod Raker, chairman of the Conneaut Tree Commission.
Plants have been ripped from the ground on at least six occasions, Raker said at Monday’s City Council meeting. He appealed to the public to keep an eye on the city park and report any suspicious activity immediately to the police.
“Keep your eyes open,” Raker said. “Someone is stealing from you.”
The park, located along Parrish Road on the city’s west side, is home to hundreds of trees and shrubs planted by the commission in honor or memory of a loved one. The memorial program has jumped in popularity, Raker said.
“We will have 200 to 300 new plants this year,” he said. “The public is responding well to the memorials.”
The new arrivals are part of an ambitious improvement program at the park coordinated by the tree commission. “Really good things are happening,” Raker said.
The commission recently received a $5,000 check from the family of the late Dorothy Shumake, a long-time member. In return, the arboretum will bear Shumake’s name, Raker said.
Another gift came from Girard Nurseries in Geneva Township, which provided $2,000 worth of plants, he said.
Earlier this year, the commission unveiled a new observation deck and kiosk at the pond in the middle of the park’s exercise trail. Youngsters are working a small patch in the park, learning about flower gardening, as a 4H project.
In time, the park could become filled with landscaped gardens that would attract tourists, Raker said.