East Springfield Blooms with Greening the Gateway Cities Program, Planting 50 New Trees
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield’s Greening the Gateway Cities Program has expanded its reach, spreading to a new neighborhood in East Springfield. Over the weekend, a group of enthusiastic volunteers came together to plant dozens of trees, adding vibrant greenery to the area.
Residents of East Springfield were delighted by the attention the program brought to their neighborhood. Between Friday and Saturday, 50 new trees were planted in the Greenways, thanks to the collaborative efforts of volunteers from local companies like Eastman Chemical and Duc Pac, as well as the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Workforce Initiative, and dedicated residents. The city’s forestry team orchestrated and guided the entire process.
It’s incredible to witness these projects taking shape. The transformation is almost immediate when a group of dedicated individuals come together. We start with an empty canvas, and by the end of the day, you can see the change, shared Alex Sherman, City of Springfield Forester.
Rick Harper, an Environmental Conservation Professor of ReGreen Springfield at UMass, emphasized the many environmental benefits of trees, such as providing shade and sequestering carbon. The Greening the Gateway Cities Program is currently active in several neighborhoods, including McKnight, Old Hill, Upper Hill, and East Springfield. Residents of these areas can request a free tree to be delivered and planted in their yard by calling the city’s 311 hotline. An arborist will then inspect the property to determine the best tree fit.
The impact of this initiative extends beyond the immediate beautification plans. East Springfield, often seen as more industrial than residential, expressed gratitude for the program’s attention and support. Marie Koski of Springfield remarked, It means a lot. I think a lot of times East Springfield gets forgotten. We are more industrial than homes, so we do get forgotten. But today has been really nice. We are really happy with all the support we have gotten.
For those looking to contribute to the beautification efforts in East Springfield, a planting session has been scheduled for Saturday morning at Marshall Roy Park off El Paso Street. Organizers are inviting volunteers to gather at the designated location to lend a hand.
With the successful expansion of Springfield’s Greening the Gateway Cities Program into East Springfield, the community is witnessing the immediate and long-term benefits that come with planting trees. Beyond the aesthetic improvements, the program aims to enhance the environment, creating a greener and more sustainable future for all residents.
