Press release:
Great Tree Canopy Comeback – Saturday, November 7, 2009
Organized by volunteers for Friends of the Parks, with the Fort Wayne, New Haven, and Allen County parks departments.
partnering with individual and business tree sponsors and volunteers throughout the community to plant new trees in our public spaces.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Help us plant trees – no experience is needed – it’s that easy.
Have fun, get some exercise & fresh air, make new friends, and help do something really important for our community!
WHAT: The 8th annual Great Tree Canopy Comeback community tree planting in this year’s designated area parks 2009 tree planting goal: 280 trees in five area parks (Over the past seven years we’ve planted more than 1650 trees in our community.)
WHEN: Saturday, November 7, 2009, starting at 10am (rain, snow, or shine!)
WHERE: 2009 parks: Johnny Appleseed, Shoaff Park, and Salomon Farm Park, in Fort Wayne; Indiana Werling Park in New Haven; and Metea County Park. (Professional crews will also plant street trees along Rudisill Boulevard as part of this year’s Great Tree Canopy Comeback.)
PICNIC AFTER PLANTING: After planting, gather at Salomon Farm Park 11:30-1:00 (817 W. Dupont Rd.) for a fun picnic supported by Indiana Michigan Power. Meet new friends while you collect your free t-shirt for adults/colorful patch for kids, and enjoy live music, food, and fun!
SIGN UP IN ADVANCE: To help plant or make a tax-deductable contribution, print, complete and mail the attached flier.
Contact Suzette Brown at 422-3232 or via email
Donations needed for trees: We are in great need of additional funds for trees. Donations are tax-deductable, and are used to purchase trees.
SPONSORSHIPS:
Interested in offering business sponsorship of trees?
Want to get involved with the picnic?
Are you a landscaping professional or tree steward? If so, volunteer to help us on Nov. 7 as a “Tree Captain.”
Contact Michelle Briggs Wedaman at 710-4413 or via email
Volunteers don’t have to dig holes! We’ll dig the holes for the trees with heavy equipment. Tree planting volunteers will position the trees into the pre-dug holes, fill in the dirt, & rake it smooth with mulch. No previous tree planting experience is necessary! (All ages are welcome; children ages 15 and younger please participate with adult volunteers.) Don’t forget your shovel and gloves, marked with your name!
Organize your community group or an informal gathering of your friends and family, bring your shovels, and come out to help. (If you prefer writing a check to wielding a shovel, consider tree sponsorship. Trees are $95 each and donations of all amounts are welcomed.) Either way, your help will be a lasting gift to our community.
WHY PLANT TREES?
Trees shade us. They uplift us with their beauty.
Did you know …?
Trees also reduce storm water runoff, absorb pollutants, reduce utility costs for nearby buildings, and increase real estate values.
Fort Wayne area parks and public spaces are in critical need of new trees.
Over the last 50 years, we’ve lost close to half of the trees in our historic parks due to weather & disease.
Created in 2002, the Great Tree Canopy Comeback is our community tree planting day organized by volunteers with Friends of the Parks and area parks departments to combat this critical loss of trees. Over the past seven years, we have planted more than 1,650 trees in our parks – it’s the Great Tree Canopy Comeback!
Founded in 2000, The Friends of the Parks of Allen County is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the stewardship and celebration of the historic and recreational resources of the parks and public spaces in Fort Wayne and Allen County.
I see a trend with the Tree Canopy Comeback. That trend that I have happily participated in over the years, entails planting trees in established parks in the area. I am happy when trees are planted anywhere, and everywhere, but I do not see enough trees being planted in the SE or S central quadrant of Fort Wayne. I am glad for Rudisill Blvd.tree planting.
I traverse from N. Anthony to E. Creighton to S. Calhoun on a daily basis. I pass through The Renaissance Pointe district “The Porch Community” and always wonder what in the world happened to the large old growth trees there??!! There are large vacant lots with no trees, or really sad, broken trees. I see newly planted trees along John Street and others, and can’t help but wonder if the lack of large old growth trees is hindering re-urbanization of young professionals to that part of the city.
I for one would not relocate to an area with no large trees, even if I was offered one of the newly built green homes there. Maybe in 10 to 15 years when that area hopefully is reforested, I will reconsider.
Thank you, Ellen for your comments.
I too have had similar thoughts to yours when walking the Renaissance Pointe area.