Election Results
After the mail-in election in May, Victor Park Board welcomed two new members, Gina Deschamps serving as Community Liaison and Sheri Jones as Secretary. The returning incumbent Michelle Buker is now Vice-Chair, replacing Wes Young who retired after serving for over 12 years. Roger DeHaan continues as Chairman and Jenecca Prevette as Treasurer. The board is enthusiastic about improving Victor Park, the baseball fields south of town, and the highway plantings along 93 through Victor. They are also looking for ways to hold more community events and generally make the Victor community more aware of, and supportive of, the Victor Parks.
“Frazier the Fir” with Victor Park Board members (from left to right) Michelle Buker, Roger DeHaan, Sheri Jones, Gina Deschamps, and Jenecca Prevette.
New Trees
In May, Roger DeHaan planted two flowering crabs along 5th Avenue and two Amur maples along Tudor Street. These trees were donated by the DNRC. In addition, an 8-foot Frazier fir went in just west of the Veterans Memorial in the Park, with hopes that it will become a community centerpiece to decorate for celebrations throughout the year. At maturity, “Frazier” could reach 30 feet tall. It was purchased with grants from DNRC and the Ravalli County Park Board.
Events
On August 8th and 9th, Victor Days will once again be held at Victor Park, hosted by Gina Deschamps and Treasure Chest Events. Featuring a parade on the theme, “Our Town’s Treasure,” vendors, bands, children’s attractions, cornhole, and a car show, it promises to be fun for families and the whole community. More information is available at treasurechestevents.com.
Victor Park is available for group and family get-togethers on a non-reserved basis. For groups of 20 or more, the board asks for notification in advance and that users abide by the “Guidelines for Park Use” available on victorparkdistrict.org
Ongoing Project
As you may have noticed driving through on Hwy 93, Victor is the only community in the valley that still has live trees and bushes from the expansion of the highway in the early 2000s. This is largely due to the efforts of Roger DeHaan and Wes Young, looking after the irrigation to these plantings. However, some trees have died and some are struggling in what’s a very harsh environment for trees. The DNRC recently visited these highway trees and recommended removing the rocks around the bases, because of the added stress the rocks create by absorbing heat that harms the roots, limiting water percolation, and compacting the roots.
Removing all these rocks is a huge job, but volunteers started it on Saturday, June 21. Spearheaded by Michelle Buker and assisted by students from Trapper Creek Job Corps and several volunteers, they removed rocks from around the bases of all the trees on both sides of the highway. The median trees remain to be done, as well as hauling away the rocks.
If you are interested in hauling off the rocks or helping on future workdays, call or text Michelle Buker (406-239-4195) or check the Victor Park Facebook page or website victorparkdistrict.org
Once the rocks are gone, the board plans to replace the dead trees.
Volunteer Opportunity
The board is looking for one or two volunteers to help maintain two beds of annual flowers in Victor Park. Light weeding and deadheading. 1-2 hours every other week. If you’re interested or have questions, call or text Patti Eldredge at 406-239-6443 or Mary Ann Gingerich at 406-396-0474.