The ReLeaf program has benefited hundreds of trees in the Cal Heights neighborhood in the last seven years.
By John Royce
CHNA President
Cal Heights ReLeaf was at it again on a recent, bright Saturday morning, when volunteers planted 24 trees on empty parkways to beautify the E. 36th Street entrance to the neighborhood. Cal Heights ReLeaf is one of the California Heights Neighborhood Association’s (CHNA) ongoing programs. With the willing cooperation of the City of Long Beach Public Works and Tree People Los Angeles, and most recently the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, ReLeaf has been involved in the planting and care of hundreds of area trees since its inception seven years ago.
Not only do tree plantings beautify our streets, they plant a future for cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gases and urban runoff, all while enhancing property values and instilling a sense of camaraderie and community building for those who participate.
The association organizes the city permits, and pays for the planting supplies and delivery costs for the trees, while residents sponsor the trees on their parkways. For $35 per tree, less than they would spend at a retail nursery, they get new trees and a wonderful community of volunteers to put them into the ground. Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) provides a price break for the mulch, and for this event, the Ivey family donated funds for trees on the long-empty Arby’s parkway. Patricia’s Mexican Restaurant not only paid for their trees, they also donated $500 in appreciative support. To top off a day of community, InkPeace owner Mark Hawkins treated volunteers to lunch at Patricia’s.
