Longtime groundskeeper honored with grove

Published May 10, 2007
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- When Phil McDonald came to Peterson in the 1970s, there were a handful of trees on base. When he retired this January, the base could count roughly 15,000.

Coincidence? Not exactly.

As Peterson's ground manager since 1973, Mr. McDonald worked on improving the base's landscape for more than three decades. He was honored May 3 when officials dedicated an Eagle Park grove and bench in his name.

"Anyone who comes here can see that this took a lot of work," said Col. Manny Hidalgo, mission support group commander for the 21st Space Wing. "It didn't just happen. This bench is a reminder of Phil's dedication."

That dedication has been driving Mr. McDonald for a long time. Raised in Woodland Park, he said he knew early on he wanted a career involving nature.

"Being around farms and ranches, cattle, crops and greenery, it was just sort of natural," he said.

After spending a year at Colorado State University studying forestry, Mr. McDonald worked for the U.S. Forest Service before becoming golf course superintendent here. Eventually, he decided he didn't want to leave.

"I loved it," he said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything I've done in my life."

Over the years, his wife Joy joined him on base, where she still works as director of catering for The Club. His son also worked on the golf course for several summers as a teenager.

"There's a long history of McDonalds on this base," Mrs. McDonald said. "I know a lot of people come and go on the base and retire, but it's nice to have this addition to remember Phil's thumbprint."

Mr. McDonald is working now on leaving his thumbprint elsewhere, helping at his son's bakery, and making plans for the trees at their summer house in Cuchara, Colo.

But he'll likely be back to visit all those trees he planted at Peterson, too, Mrs. McDonald said.

"I know that we'll be bringing our kids and their grandkids out all the time to look at Papa's area," she said. "We're really touched."

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Eagle Park dedication