Five neighborhoods to get shade on Make a Difference Day
COVINGTON, Ky. - If you need a place to make a difference on Make a Difference Day (Saturday, Oct. 26, around the nation), Covington has five areas where the difference you make will be visible for decades to come.
But only if you like to dig in dirt.
The situation is this: In pockets throughout Covington, the streetscape needs trees. The City happens to have trees. It just needs people to help plant them.
Shovel wielders.
“Our goal is 75 trees, and we’re targeting what we call ‘urban heat islands,’ or places where there’s not enough shade,” said the City’s urban forester, Municipal Specialist Cassandra Homan.
This time around, that means five different neighborhoods, listed here with the spots where volunteers should gather:
- Eastside - The vacant lots at 304-308 Pleasant St.
- Latonia - The parking lot at 36th Street and Decoursey Ave.
- MainStrasse Village - The Sixth Street median between Bakewell and Philadelphia streets.
- Peaselburg - The triangular lawn at Russell and West 18thstreets.
- Wallace Woods - The curve in the road in front of 225 Sterrett St.
The logistics
- Volunteers should meet just before 9 a.m., with the planting scheduled to go until about noon, Homan said. People should wear boots or sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty.
- Bring gloves and tools if you have them, but extras will be provided, as will coffee.
- No special expertise is needed: Experts and experienced volunteers will demonstrate proper tree-planting technique.
“The trees we’ll be planting will vary based on each neighborhood’s needs, so they will definitely match the size and conditions of each spot,” Homan said. “We believe strongly in the right tree-right place philosophy.”
Species include fringe tree, Patriot elm, serviceberry, Eastern redbud, European hornbeam, littleleaf linden, fruitless sweetgum, black gum/tupelo, and northern pin oak.
The event is a joint effort between the City’s Forestry Department and the Covington Urban Forestry Board.
“This event will give you a chance to carry out the spirit of this community-oriented day,” Homan said.
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