City of Fort Worth, TX

02/01/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/01/2023 08:52

Foundation grant means more summer shade at four city parks

Foundation grant means more summer shade at four city parks

Published on February 01, 2023

Visitors to four Fort Worth parks will enjoy some extra shade this spring thanks to a generous donation of trees by a Dallas foundation.

Donation details:The Park & Recreation Department's Forestry Section was initially approached by the Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundationlast August about a potential grant for a tree planting project. The foundation was interested in providing large trees for public areas in one or two economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

The city's Forestry staff proposed four park locations. The foundation was so pleased with the proposal that they opted to support all four proposed sites, rather than one or two, and awarded $110,460 for 56 trees ($1,972.50 per tree). The value per tree represents the cost of a 3- to 3.5-inch-caliper ball-and-burlap tree, delivered to the site, properly planted and irrigated weekly for two to three years with a water truck. The establishment phase also provides routine maintenance such as mulching, weeding, structural pruning and insect and disease care.

Where the trees will live

Trees will be planted at these parks, based on census-level income statistics and a tree need assessment conducted by the Forestry Section:

  • Seminary Hill Park, 5101 Townsend Drive. Eight trees planted for shading walking paths and the playground.
  • Eastover Park, 4300 Ramey Ave. Twenty trees planted around the perimeter for shading walking paths, playground, basketball court and fitness station.
  • Hillside Park, 1201 E Maddox Ave. Twenty-two shade trees planted near the walking paths and picnic tables.
  • Bonnie Brae Park, 3213 Wesley St. Six shade trees planted for shading around the playground and walking path.

All of the trees are native and adapted shade species grown at the city's tree farm and chosen based on planting site characteristics. Selected species include Texas red oak, Shumard red oak, chinquapin oak, bur oak, cedar elm, Texas redbud and Chinese pistache.

Photo:Forestry employees harvest trees for planting at four city parks.