Cottage Grove's Jim and Gloria Hueske plant a tree at Bohemia Park Saturday. The Hueske's joined dozens of tree planters for an event that shattered fundraising expectations.

Cottage Grove invested sweat equity in its new park Saturday in a turnout that exceeded the already high expectations of event organizers.

Over 200 residents came to plant Bohemia Park on a morning that provided perfect weather for the occasion. They got busy (and some got very dirty) to beautify and raise money to complete the first phase of the 14-acre park’s construction, which is due to be completed June 30, 2009.

Bohemia Foundation organizers set a $2400 fundraising goal for Saturday’s planting, a number eclipsed many times over by the $8724 the event actually raised.

“To have that many people step up and donate was phenomenal,” said event coordinator Christina Lund. “We got a great turnout from every demographic.”

Lund said the park received over 130 pledge cards Saturday. Guests paid $1 for five bulbs, which they then planted. Bohemia Foundation provided 1000 bulbs, but bulbs brought in by citizens raised the total to some 1400 daffodils, which should prove a welcome sight this spring.

Planters also contributed their efforts to planting vine maple, short pine, Douglas fir, big-leaf maple and western red cedar trees along the edge of the park facing the railroad tracks. Lund said efforts Saturday led to the planting of all but 20 of the park’s first 107 trees. The remaining trees will be planted by Wednesday, she said.

Two of Saturday’s tree planters were school district employees Jim and Gloria Hueske. The Hueske’s donated daffodils, which they planted near the road to better monitor their progress, in addition to planting several trees. They said the decision to help out was obvious.

“This is our town,” Gloria Hueske said. “Whatever makes our town better, we’re for. This is going to be a huge boon for Cottage Grove.”

State Senator Floyd Prozanski concurred as he laced up his work boots.

“It’s great to be part of this process,” Prozanski said. “This is a beautiful park, and it’s great to see the vision that’s gone into it. It’s an opportunity for all of us to transform undeveloped land into a community treasure, and to get to think about the generations after us who will enjoy it. Events like this bring out the best in everyone.”

Those who joined in the work were treated to coffee and pastries from Fleur de Lis Bakery.

Wildish Construction crews took advantage of unseasonably fine weather to continue park construction Monday. For those who wish to stay involved with Bohemia Park or make a donation, Lund suggested visiting www.bohemiapark.org.