New Christmas tree at Xabatin Community Park becomes a community favorite
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Lakeport’s newest park has been bedecked with holiday cheer for its first Christmas thanks to a new community Christmas tree.
The tree, installed on Dec. 13, is a holiday highlight of the newly opened Xabatin Community Park.
It sits at the edge of the park overlooking Clear Lake.
Since its arrival, the tree has been a hit with community members. Many great photos of the picturesque tree covered with colorful lights, with Mount Konocti and Clear Lake as a backdrop, have been posted on social media in recent weeks by city staff and park visitors.
The tree project’s completion has been credited to the efforts of Stacey Mattina, who just finished up her 2023 term as mayor for the city of Lakeport, and District 4 Supervisor Michael Green.
Mattina took the idea for the tree to Green, who pitched in $25,000 — the lion’s share of the cost — from the discretionary funds he and other board members receive from county cannabis revenue.
On Dec. 19, Mattina attended the Board of Supervisors to thank the county for its help with the project and making the city's holiday dreams come true.
She said the city had a wild idea to bring more cheer to downtown with the tree.
“Thanks to your generosity and support, it’s now a reality,” Mattina said.
The city of Lakeport purchased the 16-foot “Giant Everest” model artificial tree from the Wintergreen Corp., a company based in Alpharetta, Georgia.
“This isn’t just any tree. It’s a symbol of unity and community spirit,” said Mattina.
In addition to the tree being reusable year after year, next year it will be 10 feet taller, Mattina said.
Wintergreen offers commercial grade trees ranging up to 76 feet tall.
Green showed up to the Lakeport City Council meeting later on Dec. 19 to offer praise to Mattina. He said he believed the community owed her thanks for having the vision to add a holiday-oriented feature to the park, which benefits not just the city of Lakeport but all of District 4.
Whatever he contributed is a pittance, he said. “It’s just a little gesture.”
Green said the tree, and the park, look great. He said his hat was off to the city for coming up with a vision to unify the community after what it’s been through over the last few years.
Mattina thanked him, and said the city couldn’t have done it without his help.
Mattina’s council colleagues and City Manager Kevin Ingram said Mattina had a hand in helping Public Works staff assemble the tree, including helping with screwing in the huge number of light bulbs.
In addition to extending the height of the tree, the city reported that it is planning to expand its holiday decorations along the lakefront in 2024.
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