Shortly after Arbor Day was celebrated at Turner Playground on Danforth Street by supporters of the Fall River Street Tree Planting Program (FRSTPP), fourteen more trees were planted on April 28, 2015. These trees were purchased and planted through a Mass ReLeaf Ministry grant obtained by the First Congregational Church as part of their effort to improve the environment. The trees will provide improved air quality and much needed shade in the area around the Aetna Street playground which is across the street from the Maple Gardens Housing Development. The work was supervised by staff from the Davey Resource Group and volunteer tree stewards who have been trained through the FRSTPP. There are currently three openings on the City Tree Commission, and anyone with an interest is urged to contact the Mayor's Office. The FRSTP Program was presented the Arbor Day Foundation's 2014 Tree City Growth Award on June 3rd and the tenth year that the Program has received national recognition. Click here for photos of the Arbor Day tree planting event. Click here for an three-minute video of the event. For information about the Street Tree Planting program, contact Mary Ann Wordell at 508-679-8887.

(Top row) Phil Hanna of the Davey Resource Group carries a London Plane tree to its location where volunteer tree stewards Charlene Setzer, Sandra Elliott and Timothy Lockett work to set it in place at the proper height. (Row two, left and right) Charlene holds the tree in place while the others make sure it's level before filling in soil around the roots. (Row two, center) Davey Resource Group Project Manager Doak Marasco poses for a photo at the project site. (Row three) Joshua Carreiro, Shelby Smith and Davey staff member work on planting an oak tree as tree stewards Steve Plasski and Louise Kaczynski work with Doak to rake over the site of an American Linden tree that they just planted, (Bottom row, left and right) Tree stewards Timothy Lockett, Mike Gaudette and Steve Plasski finish staking one of three Gingko trees planted at the Aetna Street Playground as Doak and Phil pose for a final photo. (Bottom row, center) DCR Urban and Community Forester, Julie Coop awards Doak Fall River's 4th Growth Award at a June 3rd ceremony at the Red Barn at Hampshire College in Amherst as DCR Deputy Commissioner Matthew Sisk stands to his left