TREE PLANTINGS FOR ASTHMA ALLEY
by Jeni Asaba

http://www.bxtimes.com/BW_News3.htm

What’s known as “Asthma Alley” will receive some relief this spring as one local group brings back the green to the Mott Haven community.

With a tentative April starting date, Friends of Brook Park, a coalition of residents, educators and local merchants, dedicated to revitalizing and managing various Earth conscious projects in the south Bronx, will plant 60 to 70 trees along 138 th Street and adjacent roads.

The project is made possible by a $100,000 “Greening the Bronx ” grant the group received from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

“This funding supports a study on the influence of shade on reducing the Heat Island Effect,” FOBP advocate Carol Zakaluk said. “We expect cooler streets and lower energy bills in the summer, along with the many other amenities trees bring.”

Zakaluk added the program is essential to help alleviate the poor air quality hovering over one of the United State ‘s most asthmatic regions.

“We need these trees to help offset the pollution of passing truck traffic,” she urged. But the added advantages don’t stop there. “Businesses near the tees will benefit from increased property values, cooler thoroughfares, and the borough will enjoy a more beautiful gateway to the Bronx ,” she added.

The grant is part of NYSERDA’s Greening the Bronx Quick Start program, which allocated $1 million to expedite the commencement of tree planting throughout the borough.

Upon receipt of the grant, Zakaluk immediately took to the streets, contacting close to 200 local merchants for permission to plant on their property. To her surprise, the response was less than expected.

With only 15-25 percent of merchants replying to her initial offer, Zakaluk said she expects, and hopes for, a quick turn around when they see the work in progress. “Once the trees start going in the ground everyone is going to come up and say they want a tree,” she said.

While it may take time for adults to adjust to the neighborhood changes, local youngsters are already signing their adoption papers.

Children from the Freedom Center after school program will not only be caring for some of the trees, but teachers will also focus on studying the benefits trees bring to urban areas.

Zakaluk said she hopes others follow in the students’ footsteps, and fill the need for assistance with routine tree maintenance. “We definitely need to find out who in the community is willing to step up and take care of the trees,” she said.

The group also encourages other educational institutions to take advantage of the project and incorporate its progressions into their curriculum.

Zakaluk said in addition to planting trees in the community, the group wants to inspire residents to work together toward other neighborhood improvement projects.

“It’s kind of planting a seed in more ways than planting a tree,” she said.

To design the tree layout, FOBP worked closely with landscape architect Charles Cross and City College of New York’s professor Lee Weintraub, along with students in his Urban Design class.

FOBP is currently negotiating the project with Dimitri’s Garden Center , at 2413 3 rd Avenue . As the tree project manager, Cross will work with the tree contractor to identify which of 38 possible species will be planted along the 138 th street planting zone. Zakaluk said the group hopes to begin planting this April.

Anyone interested in the Mott Haven tree project, contact Carol Zakaluk at (718) 292-8217. To learn more about other FOBP projects, visit friendsofbrookpark.org.