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Linking Greenville's Neighborhoods to Jobs and Open Space |
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| City of Greenville, South Carolina | April 2013, Issue No. 14
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Public Meeting
Tuesday, April 23
6:00 - 7:00 PM @ Kroc Center
Since the charrette in February, the park design team has has been working to bring the Dream Big schemes down to a more realistic conceptual plan.They will be presenting these ideas on Tuesday, April 23rd. Everyone is encouraged to attend to help them develop a consensus plan. This is a "work in progress" and public input helps develop a vision for the potential park.
Questions about the park planning process can be directed to Jeff Waters, Landscape Architect with the City, at 467-4350.
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The Spring & Green Fair
SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2013
12 PM to 3 PM
The Connections for Sustainability Project is hosting a Spring & Green Fair which will offer tips, tricks, and ideas to help green your life. Join AJ Whittenberg students, local non-profit organizations, neighborhood associations, and more at the West Greenville Community Center as we explore ways to Live, Work, Play, and Grow Green for Spring!
Featuring family friendly activities, information and demonstrations on topics such as gardening, home energy efficiency, recycling, healthy living, and a free lunch and a free lunch with hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, slaw, lemonade and tea provided by the West Greenville neighborhood association. The Spring & Green fair has something for everyone.
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Urban Forestry Grant
The City has been awarded a TD Green Streets grant from TD Bank and the Arbor Day Foundation. The grant will fund street trees to be planted along Hudson Street as well as educational and outreach efforts related to urban trees. The official grant announcement will take place as part of the City's Arbor Day celebration at the Kilgore-Lewis House on April 25th. A "Hands on Greenville" volunteer team will help pick up litter and debris in the project area on May 4th, and TD Green Streets program will culminate with a "Tree-mendous Day in the City" celebration in November.
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| Sustainability Spotlight
Making a Tre(e)mendous Difference
By Jaclin DuRant
There is very little that they don't do; from fighting crime to lowering electric bills, they are constantly working to make our city a healthier, happier place to live. We're not referring to super heroes, but rather, an important and often over-looked part of our urban environment: the trees.
Air Quality:
Trees take in Carbon Dioxide, the major greenhouse gas emitted due to human activities, combine it with water to make food, and release Oxygen. They also absorb other airborne pollutants and collect small particles on their leaves, helping to improve urban air quality.
Water Quality:
Tree roots help stabilize the soil, preventing erosion. During and following rain storms, trees, especially trees planted alongside streams and rivers, absorb pollutants and reduce storm water runoff which helps protect water quality.
Shade:
Trees lower surface and air temperatures, helping to reduce the urban heat island effect and keep us cooler. In addition, shade can save us money. Trees help reduce energy costs of cooling buildings during summer and the USDA center for Urban Forest Research found that streets in the shade needed less maintenance over time and that shade reduced repaving costs by 58% over a 30 year period.
Habitats for animals:
Urban trees provide refuges and habitats for beneficial insects, birds, lizards, and other animals, creating vital linkages to natural areas.
Social benefits:
A variety of social benefits are associated with trees from reduced crime to improved mental health. Multiple studies have linked trees to improved quality of life and increased economic benefits to business owners and communities.
Trees do all of this and more! You can make the City a better place to be just by planting a tree.
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Food Deserts MONDAY, APRIL 15 6:00 @ KROC CENTER
Food deserts are areas where it is difficult for residents to access fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods. This is typically due to a lack of grocery stores and healthy food providers. Join us April 15th for a series of short films followed by a discussion of food deserts and ways communities across the country are working together to provide access to healthy food choices.Popcorn and soft drinks will be served.
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Urban Agriculture
THURSDAY, APRIL 25
6:00 @ HUGHES LIBRARY
In the recent Park Plan Charrette, the most popular idea for the potential new park was to include a Community Garden. To explore this idea in more detail, we have invited Elizabeth Beak from an organization called "Crop-Up" out of Charleston. Crop Up is a consulting practice that focuses on community-based food projects throughout South Carolina, and it was instrumental to the planning and success of the urban farm on MUSC's campus.
Elizabeth will lead us on a discussion about the role urban agriculture can play in cultivating a greener, healthier, and more sustainable city on Thursday, March 25, at the Hughes Main Public Library from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Snacks and refreshments will be served. |
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