“Brightside’s Community-Wide Planting Day is a terrific example of how we can be compassionate neighbors and caregivers of the environment,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “This year’s 115 trees will add to the 150 planted in 2015. West Broadway neighbors, businesses and travelers should see positive effects from these trees for years to come.”
In addition to improving the overall aesthetics of the surrounding neighborhoods, planting trees improves storm water management, increases property value, reduces urban heat island effect, improves air quality, and lowers energy costs.
“Brightside is glad to be celebrating its 5th Community-Wide Planting Day by returning to West Broadway and planting more trees,” Brightside Director Gina O’Brien said. “We would like to thank our sponsors and volunteers and welcome those on West Broadway to watch these tree grow and bring shade, storm water management and a beautiful streetscape.”
Brightside will also be joining with volunteers from UPS, Brown-Forman, Kentucky Derby Festival and Heaven Hill to plant 60 trees along 18th Street from West Kentucky Street to Greenwood Avenue and Greenwood Avenue from 18th to 20th Street.
Brightside’s recent plantings, as well as those of other Metro and non-profits partners, have been focused in west Louisville, where an increase in tree canopy is needed. This year’s planting will add to the 150 trees Brightside planted on West Broadway in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, over 330 trees were planted in along Virginia Avenue and adjacent streets in the Parkland and California neighborhoods. 80 trees were planted near Chickasaw Park in 2014.
On Saturday, November 10 at 10 a.m., Brightside will meet volunteers in Kroger parking lot at 2710 West Broadway. A limited supply of shovels and other tools will be provided by Brightside, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools. All ages are invited to attend the event.
There is still time for volunteers to register. To register, volunteers can fill out a form at Brightside’s website here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/brightside/community-wide-planting-day
