For the first time, downtown Naperville’s Christmas tree will be fake instead of flora.
The Naperville Park District bought a 14-foot artificial tree for $3,400 and is planning to buy a four-foot extension next year for $3,200.
The change was motivated by costs and difficulties of harvesting of a live tree.
“Our live tree was always a donated tree and it was by a resident somewhere in Naperville,” said Sue Omanson, community development manager for the park district. “And it needed to be in a location that was accessible by a large truck. And it involved coordinating staff from the city of Naperville’s electric department, the Park District Police for an escort through the streets and also our Trades department and our Park Maintenance department.”
The park district would pay between $2,000 and $2,500 per year to install the live tree, whereas the artificial one will pay for itself within three years. And they expect it to last five years beyond that.
The park district will put the tree into place the week before Thanksgiving.
Naperville News 17’s Casey Krajewski reports.
