Malek Park Information
At the suggestion of Dorothy Shumake, the Tree Commission initiated work to
establish an arboretum at Malek Park in 1996. Twenty
six trees were planted that first year and additional trees have been planted
every year since as available money has permitted. Citizens of Conneaut can
donate $100.00 for a tree and $50.00 for a shrub to have a tree or shrub planted
in memory of a loved one or an organization. The money is used to purchase the
plant, care for the plant and buy a label detailing the Techinical Plant Name,
Common Name, Family and Arboretum Number. 
A map of the Arboretum is located in a
kiosk next to the parking lot near the walking path and the Arboretum number of
each plant is plotted on the map. The kiosk also has printed lists of all of the
plants, the names of the people or organizations honored, the names of the
donors, and the year of planting.
Establishing the arboretum has not always been easy work. The land was once
mined of its sandy topsoil leaving a less than desirable subsoil that is rocky
in places, low in nutrient , and poorly drained in large areas. A grant from the
Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Fund was attained and work was begun in 2007 to
dig a new pond and wetland area into which problematic excess water will be
channeled. Soil derived from the digging of the pond and wetland area is being
put into low areas to provide drier areas to plant more memorial trees.
An
observation deck to be built next to the wetland area will have educational
material identifying many of the wetland plants and animals. Both private
contractors and the Conneaut Public Works crews have spent many hours helping to
create what in time will be another beautiful and educational park for the City.
The fact that the plantings are being made possible by money for memorials makes
the park truly unique and all the more meaningful. Many thanks to all those who
have contributed to the development of Malek Park Arboretum.
If you would like to make a donation please make the check out to Conneaut
Arboretum Fund and mail it to:
City of Conneaut, Ohio
Attn: Finance
Department
294 Main Street
Conneaut, OH 44030