The NJ Tree Foundation is gearing up for a busy fall season in Camden! Two plantings will focus on areas near the Circuit Trail. The Circuit Trail is a 750-mile network of trails that run throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. They are easily accessible and provide residents with a free way to hike, bike, walk, and travel. Through a generous grant from the William Penn Foundation, the NJ Tree Foundation has lined trails and the surrounding areas with trees. Trees help to shade the trail, absorb excess stormwater, and help provide a “greenway” in surrounding areas to guide residents to the nearest portion of the Circuit.
The first scheduled tree planting is on October 13th. This planting is located between the 3000 blocks of Carman and Mickle Streets. These residencies are mere blocks away from Dudley Grange Park, which hosts a portion of the Circuit Trail in East Camden. The NJ Tree Foundation is working with two families from this neighborhood to complete the planting. The cost of the trees will be covered with funding from St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, and the concrete removal will be paid for by the William Penn Foundation.
The second Circuit Trail planting this season will be held on Saturday, November 17th. Trees will be planted along both sides of the Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church, as well as along the parking lot. The trees will be planted in “enhanced” tree pits, which are larger than our standard 4×4 pits. The enhanced tree pits will capture excess stormwater runoff. Larger trees planted at this site will help to provide a buffer from the noise and pollution of the I-676 overpass, which runs right next to the church. The NJ Tree Foundation is very excited to be working with the Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church to prepare for this event.
Lastly, the NJ Tree Foundation is currently preparing materials for the fall season. New educational materials will include a poster that will talk about how trees are a key component in green infrastructure projects and watershed health. With stormwater-induced flooding a large concern in Camden, the NJ Tree Foundation wants to ensure that every volunteer and resident understands the difference that planting a tree can make, and what you can do at your own home to help alleviate the burden of stormwater on the watershed.
All NJ Tree Foundation tree plantings events, both on and off the Circuit Trail, are free to attend. Tree plantings that are open to the public are held on Saturdays from 9am-12pm. If you are interested in participating at any of our fall events, please email mbrown@njtreefoundation.org (for Camden) and cwessel@njtreefoundation.org (for North Jersey).
