Celebrating
Arbor Day and
Extending
Walnut Street Greenway
On
Saturday, April 10, hundreds of volunteers will extend
the Walnut Street Greenway from 40th to 43rd Streets by
planting more than 80 trees along Walnut Street from 9:30
a.m. to 1 p.m.
Organized
by UC Green, the Walnut Street Greenway extension is part
of a renewed effort to beautify the neighborhood and create
a "Green Belt" that connects various neighborhood greening
initiatives. "Trees beautify the neighborhood, filter out
noise and pollution and create a pleasant environment," said
Amanda Benner, director of UC Green. "This is a great opportunity
for neighbors, students, and organizations to improve our
public spaces and create lasting community connections."
Volunteers
represent the diversity of West Philadelphia. University
City residents, many trained by the Tree Tenders of Philadelphia
Green, will lead the planting. Students from Drexel, the
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Penn, The Restaurant
School at Walnut Hill College, and members of the Masjid-Al
Jamia Mosque will also participate. "Bites a great way
to do something positive for the environment," says student
volunteer Nazia Siddiqi, "I also get to meet community
members I wouldn't otherwise."
The
Walnut Street Greenway originated in 2001 when hundreds
of volunteers planted 100 trees from 43rd to 48th Streets
(Almanac April
10, 2001). Greenway species include
large shade trees such as red maples and smaller underwire
trees like hawthornes in coordinated groupings.
Along
with their beauty, trees provide tangible benefits to urban
communities. Street trees shade the concrete and help cool
a neighborhood and those planted east or west of homes
can cut cooling costs by 15 to 35 percent. Trees also remove
air pollution by lowering air temperature through respiration
and by retaining particulates. "City neighborhoods without
trees become desolate heat islands," said Ms. Benner. "Trees
make a world of difference to our quality of life in University
City."
UC
Green is a non-profit entity taking the leadership role
in promoting cooperative community greening in University
City through volunteer efforts and partnering with neighborhood
residents, community and religious organizations, local
students, and city agencies. The Greenway project is sponsored
by the Spruce Hill Community Trust and funded by a grant
from Citizens Bankers University City Neighborhood Partnership
Fund and matched by participating property owners and stakeholders.
For
information about UC Green or to volunteer for the April
10 tree planting, call (215) 573-4684 or info@ucgreen.org.