The grass in Chester Park is mowed at least every other week between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During droughts mowings are sometimes skipped. Extra cuttings may be scheduled to prepare the Park for special events.

The Park is mowed during commercial hours, preferably on a weekday to permit more hours of weekend enjoyment. CPA has an agreement with Billy McDevitt of Maple Ave. to cut the grass and provide other landscaping services. Billy’s work schedule sometimes necessitates his mowing Chester Park on a Saturday or Sunday.

Children are requested to stay out of the Park during grass cutting to prevent injury from projected rocks or sticks.

A CPA officer checks trees monthly and after major storms for "widow-makers" -- large dead branches perched precariously on other limbs.

Trees that present a liability to CPA (either because they are dead or because they threaten utility lines) are removed by a professional tree service. CPA has a policy of replacing each tree taken down with a new sapling. Historically large maples, ash and sycamores have been replaced with modest size fruit trees.

This spring the CPA would like to initiate annual tree-pruning by a professional service to remove damaged or dead limbs. This will make the Park both a safer and more beautiful haven. To minimize the cost of this service we will ask for volunteers to assist in the clean-up.

Trees may also be donated to the Park. Contact your CPA officers to coordinate placement and timing.

The Village of Pelham offers a free "tree planting" program for public spaces between sidewalks and the street. The initiative began 14 years ago when Pelham joined the Tree City USA program sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation. We encourage everyone to participate in this long-term vision of a tree-lined Pelham. Call 738-2015 to get your name on the list.

We would like to continue Park cleanups four times a year.  They're a fun way to meet neighbors and renew our commitment to a well-cared-for Park. You provide the rakes and gloves; CPA provides the trash bags and refreshments. Anyone able to pick up a stick (canines excluded) is invited to attend. Check the Calendar and What’s New pages for details.

Bulb planting - After successful daffodil and tulip plantings in 2000 and 2001, CPA continues its effort to add more flowers each year.  250 mixed daffodils were planted around the old fountain foundation last Dec.  And we have high hopes last year’s forsythia bushes, donated by former CP resident Megan Cifarelli, will bloom for the first time this spring. Neighborhood participation and input are always welcome.

Weed control - CPA uses Spectracideâ (Diquat Dibromide / Fluazifop-P-butyl) to kill weeds and grass growing on the sidewalk, steps and curbs of Chester Park. Poison ivy is also sprayed.

Snow removal - CPA retains the services of Billy McDevitt to plow the sidewalk in front of the Park after major storms. Other residents sweep or shovel after a light snow. The walkway inside the Park is left unshoveled for the benefit of cross-country skiers and other winter visitors.