More than 25 volunteers gathered at East Side Park Wednesday to finish a project that sprouted over the summer.

Spruce Up Austin volunteers wrapped up the organization’s 25th anniversary Tree Trek Wednesday afternoon, where they planted 40 varieties of trees along a path on the south side of East Side Lake.

“It’s pretty cool to have come this far,” Spruce Up Austin President Gretchen Ramlo said. “We’re so thankful for 25 years of supporting the community.”

Spruce Up Austin is one of Austin’s oldest community groups. With about 18 current members on its committee and dozens of volunteers each year, the group is dedicated to planting trees and beautifying Austin. Spruce Up Austin has planted more than 2,600 trees over the past 25 years, which has improved community parks by almost $500,000 in estimated value.

The group was formed in 1990 by Mike Ruzek, who wanted to plant more trees in Austin after Dutch Elm Disease toppled many trees in the area.

Since then, the group has worked every year to plant dozens of trees throughout town, from the 100 trees for Hormel Foods Corp.’s 100th anniversary in 1991 to 150 trees for the city’s 150th anniversary in 2006.

The Tree Trek will eventually have about 45 varieties of trees, all with signs that give general information about the tree as well as a QR code for people to scan using their cell phones, which gives even more facts online.

“It’s a wonderful way to celebrate 25 years,” volunteer Kathy Borland, who serves on Spruce Up’s board of directors, said.

In addition, Spruce Up volunteers put up a kiosk explaining Spruce Up Austin’s role in the area.

The group planted the first tree in the tree trek, an Avatar Colorado Blue Spruce, in May. Mayor Tom Stiehm proclaimed May 5-11, 2014, as Spruce Up Austin week. The city of Austin donated the blue spruce to the group as well.