Tree Pit Gardening on MacDonough Street

This press release is straight off Marty Markowitz’s PR email, but given that he seldom comes to Bed-Stuy (or at least seldom puts out press releases about it) I thought I’d include it here. I’m sure the gardens themselves look gorgeous.

BP MARKOWITZ QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVE: EXPANDED TREE PITS WITH PROTECTIVE TREE GUARDS

Puts dogs, raccoons, rats and wayward pedestrians and bikes on notice!

Encourages and rewards neighborhood beautification and gardening efforts

On Monday, October 19, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined the 500 Block MacDonough Street Association, area residents and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to celebrate “green” tree pit gardens and tree guards along the block. Since 2004, the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office and the Parks Department have installed 4,000 tree guards on over 350 residential blocks throughout Brooklyn. The custom-made, wrought iron guards help mitigate many of the hazards trees face and add elegance to the landscape of Brooklyn’s neighborhood streets. Tree guards also enlarge existing tree pits to make for healthier trees—curtailing compressed roots pushing up slabs of sidewalk, absorbing storm water runoff and improving air quality.

“These guards turn each tree pit into its own ‘mini garden,’ an optimal environment for Brooklynites to display the creativity that makes the Greenest Block in Brooklyn program so difficult to judge each year,” said BP Markowitz. “We all knew that trees could grow in Brooklyn, but thanks to the Neighborhood Beautification Fund, thousands of trees are not only growing—they’re thriving.”

“The tree guards have enhanced our block enormously and have stirred much enthusiasm among block residents on other greening projects,” said Ranson Smith, president of the 500 Block MacDonough Street Association. “In fact, as a result of the tree guards, our block association now has an ongoing gardening club to manage and beautify the tree pits.”

“Since the generous installation of the guards, we took the tree pit project a step further and, with a grant from the Citizens Committee for New York City and the donation of time from a professional landscaper, we beautified each pit with decorative gravel and, in some cases, flowers,” said Desiree Byrd, president of the 500 Hancock Block Association. “We have seen a significant reduction in feces and trash since the guards and the gravel have been installed, and we’ve also seen a jump in our membership and participation since the tree guards were installed.”

“The expanded tree pits and beautiful tree guards are a wonderful improvement to our block,” said Lauren Collins, co-president of the Reeve Place Block Association. “Residents are thrilled with the upgraded tree areas, and it has inspired us to institute an annual clean-the-block day, which will begin this spring.”

The Brooklyn Borough President’s Office has supported the tree guard program with $7 million in capital funding since fiscal year 2004.

Brooklynites interested in obtaining tree guards should email askmarty@brooklynbp.nyc.gov or call 718-802-3893.

An example of the custom tree guards funded by the BP’s office. (This tree is not in Bed-Stuy, though)