Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

May 27, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Inspired by Haverhill Students, Mayor Advances Urban Forestry Initiatives

HAVERHILL- Mayor James J. Fiorentini announced that over 120 new trees will be planted throughout the City over the next few weeks as part of ongoing urban forestry initiatives.  More tree plantings will follow.

The Mayor made this announcement today at Hill View Montessori School on Washington Street in Haverhill, where students had sent the Mayor letters as part of Earth Day activities.  The Mayor met with the Hill View students and gave them a citation acknowledging their outstanding commitment to the environment.  The Mayor and the students also planted a sugar maple tree together at Hill View.  The students call themselves the “Sugar Maple Class,” as the children have been studying sugar maples trees in class.

“It’s exciting to see kids genuinely interested in ecology and the environment,” noted Mayor Fiorentini.  “These young people have inspired me to do even more to obtain money for tree plantings around our beautiful city.  This spring and summer, we’re planting over 120 trees around the City, many concentrated in particular areas so as to restore the former grandeur of these areas,” stated the Mayor.

The Mayor, along with Director of Public Works Michael Stankovich, released a list of tree planting locations.  Neighborhoods with a targeted focus include Lincoln Avenue in Riverside, Columbia Park, Riverside Park, Ginty Boulevard and the American Legion fields by Clement Farm.

“Tree-lined boulevards and parks help add to the ambience and beauty of the City, while restoring certain neighborhoods such as Lincoln Avenue and Columbia Park to their former appearance,” added the Mayor. “The trees also help the environment by cleaning the air and reducing greenhouse gases.”

The trees, which include several species including maples, locusts, elms, crabapples and pines, are paid for by an urban forestry grant.  The Mayor announced that City will pursue another grant that would fund the planting of an additional 200 trees this year.

An official listing of trees by species and location is posted on the city’s website, www.ci.haverhill.ma.us. Refer to the Higway Dept for listing.