Tree planting effort kicks off at this Fresno park
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A ceremonial planting tree ceremony was held at Romain Park on Monday to kick off the tree-planting effort in south-central Fresno.
In 2023, city officials say the Valley Air District awarded Tree Fresno with $2 million to implement the Urban Greening and Vegetative Barriers Project throughout the south-central Fresno community. Part of this project is the effort at Romain Park, which will add 49 trees to provide shade and create a vegetative barrier between the park and the highways.
“This project was a request from community members who live in the area, and that’s something we take seriously. Everyone should have pride in their neighborhood, and this work is important for the neighbors of Romain Park,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer.
“In addition to planting more trees in this area, this community has prioritized over 46 additional clean air strategies for south Fresno, totaling over $45 million focused on reducing emissions and improving public health in this historically underserved part of the Valley,” said Samir Sheikh, Executive Director/Air Pollution Control Officer at the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
The project will fund 1,200 5-gallon trees for residents living in south-central Fresno. In addition, 500 community 15-gallon trees will be planted.
The ceremonial plating was held on Monday. The rest of the trees are scheduled to be planted at Romain Park on Saturday at 9 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend to celebrate National Arbor Day.
According to officials, the trees planted at Romain Park on Monday were Deodar Cedar, Desert Willow, Crape Myrtle, Chinese Pistache, Shumard Oak, and Lacebark Elms. A new dedicated irrigation system with three dedicated valves, 98 low-flow bubblers, and around 1,600 feet of irrigation line will provide water.
