11 Volunteers Plant 50 Trees at McAlester Park

Eleven volunteers gathered on a crisp February morning with shovels in hand and transformation on their minds. Their mission was simple but powerful: give Mullen Park in McAlester, Oklahoma, the shade and beauty it deserved.

The group worked through Wednesday morning planting 50 Oklahoma native trees as part of the "Shade and Story: Transforming Mullen Park" project. These aren't just any trees—they're part of a bigger vision to create a cool, green space where families can gather for generations.

The McAlester Community Tree Board partnered with the volunteers to make it happen. They gave special thanks to Cody Conner, the McAlester Parks and Recreation Land Maintenance Supervisor, and his crew for their behind-the-scenes work preparing the site.

The project brings more than just trees to the park. It also includes a StoryWalk installation and a new irrigation system to keep everything thriving. A StoryWalk turns reading into an outdoor adventure by placing storybook pages along a walking path, encouraging kids and families to explore while they read.

Funding came through the Urban and Community Forestry Grant, a program run by Oklahoma Forestry Services in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. These grants help communities across the state create greener, more livable public spaces.

The Ripple Effect

What started as a single morning of digging and planting will create waves of benefits for years to come. The trees will eventually provide cooling shade during hot Oklahoma summers, reducing temperatures and creating comfortable gathering spots. They'll also improve air quality, support local wildlife, and add natural beauty to the neighborhood.

The StoryWalk component connects nature with literacy, giving families a free, fun way to encourage reading outdoors. It transforms a simple park visit into an educational adventure that kids actually want to experience.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for later this year to officially celebrate the transformation. Until then, those 50 saplings are already putting down roots, just like the volunteers who planted them put down roots of community pride and stewardship.

One morning, eleven people, and fifty trees—that's all it took to change a park forever.