ATC

Energizing Your Future

Rib Mountain adds some tree bark to dog park thanks to ATC

It’s a little cooler at Sandy’s Bark Park in Rib Mountain, Wis. – and not just because of  the current fall temperatures. The town recently planted a mix of Princeton elm, yellow birch, blue beech and other shade trees-thanks to a $1,250 grant from ATC’s Community Planting Program.

This grant not only helps to diversify the local tree population, it also provides shade and additional natural beauty for the park’s visitors – both canine and human.

Sandy’s Bark Park, which opened two years ago, is Rib Mountain’s first dog park. The nearly four-acre, fenced-in park features 2,000 feet of crushed gravel walking paths, benches and a dog water spigot. It also is easily accessible from the Marathon County Highway R paved walking trail and is close to at least one pet-friendly hotel.

ATC’s Community Planting Program enables us to encourage and support communities to plant trees and vegetation that beautify the landscape in a way that doesn’t compromise the safety and reliability of the electric transmission system. The program provides financial support to eligible cities, villages, towns, counties and tribes in ATC’s service area for planting projects on public property, outside transmission line rights-of-way. Since 2013, ATC has awarded approximately 240 communities and organizations with funds totaling more than $425,000.

ATC accepts applications from July 1 through Sept. 30, and recipients are selected and notified by the end of the year. Awards range from $100 to $5,000. Additional information and program applications can be found at atc-GrowSmart.com.