CITY MAXIMIZES TREE REPLACEMENT EFFORTS LEVERAGING GRANT FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS

Annual Fall Volunteer Tree Planting Event - On Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., Tree Watertown will  host the City’s 23rd Annual Fall Volunteer Tree Planting Event. This year’s project includes planting 50 bare-root  trees at various locations along the city margins on Grant Street, Seward Street, Henry Street, Starbuck Avenue, and  Starbuck Elementary School. Interested citizens are encouraged to join members of Tree Watertown; students,  parents, and faculty from Watertown City School District (WCSD) and Immaculate Heart Central Schools (IHC);  City staff; Department of Environmental Conservation staff; and other area partners. This project is part of the final  touches of a multi-year street reconstruction project. 

Volunteer Meeting Location: Starbuck Elementary School located at 403 E Hoard Street.  

The trees and other supplies for the project are funded through the City’s successful grant application through the  Northern New York Community Foundation’s (NNYCF) Carolyn Whitney Tree Fund. City DPW Buildings and  Grounds team will support the event by organizing tools and supplies, preparing planting sites for volunteers, and  providing weekly watering throughout the 2025 growing season. 

Tree Watertown members would like to acknowledge the following project donors: State Street Hardware for their  donation of mulch for the event, and Burrville Cider Mill for their donation of apple cider for volunteers.  

Fall Contracted Tree Planting Projects – Thirty-seven (37) trees will be planted as funded by the American  Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the City. 

● Thompson Park West Sector Trail Project – 17 trees. 

● Washington Street Tree Replacement Project – 13 trees.  

● Winslow Street Watermain Project - 7 trees.