Tree Canopy Replacement & Irrigation Project
latest update as of April 11, 2024
hpgca Board, in cooperation with the City of Punta Gorda, has successfully received a grant from the Division of Forestry to replace four (4) more trees along the Linear Path. The plantings will be between McGregor St. and Berry St. Our celebration will be held between those streets, at the park bench nearest McGregor. You may park on the west end of the First Baptist Church lot, just across McGregor. Please come help us celebrate, Thursday April 25 at 10 am.
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update as of december 12, 2023
HPGCA Board members have been working, with City approval, to get irrigation along the linear path operational. They have also been working with the Division of Forestry to secure additional grant funding for tree canopy replacement.
Much of the tree canopy in our public parks was lost in Ian. Our tree canopy (not palms, which are grasses) not only provides welcome shade and beauty, but can lower the ambient temperature and improve the quality of our air. It is a critical part of our quality of life. The goal of the Board is to facilitate the replacement of the canopy without cost to the City or the HPGCA. To date no HPGCA monies have been spent on this project and City support has been a minimum of Staff time.
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Here’s a brief timeline of the first year of this project:
Mid December 2022 two HPGCA members met with Joan LeBeau, Urban Design Manager, to discuss how we might facilitate the tree canopy replacement.
April 28, 2023 two cedar trees were planted on the linear path near Gill St. They were funded with an Arbor Day grant through the Florida Division of Forestry. Without working irrigation they were watered by HPGCA members.
Summer of 2023 HPGCA Board members worked to repair and restore irrigation along the linear path between SB 41 and Berry St. This was done in cooperation with the City, but the sweat equity was ours.
Summer of 2023 one of the two cedar trees died, as did its first replacement. The location of the second replacement was moved slightly. This meant its irrigation needed to be moved. More sweat equity.
December 2023 Board members walked the next section of the path, with our Division of Forestry representative and planned replacement of four more trees lost in Ian. They will be funded by an Arbor Day grant. ___________________________________________________________________