February 13, 2009

RE-TREE WESTERN NEW YORK COMMITS TO SIGNATURE PROJECT ALONG SOUTH PARK AVENUE

PLANTING IN 2010 WILL INCLUDE OVER 400 NEW TREES ALONG COMMERCIAL STRIP

On Wednesday evening, at the most recent meeting of the South Park Avenue Revitalization Committee, Re-Tree Western New York verbally committed to planting over 400 trees along South Park Avenue, free of charge, in conjunction with Legislator Tim Kennedy's $2.3 million South Park Avenue Revitalization Project. The planting of over 400 trees will coincide with Re-Tree's five-year goal of replacing approximately 30,000 trees in Western New York that were damaged or destroyed during the October Storm. The commitment will make the South Park Avenue Revitalization Project the organization's signature project in Western New Work in 2010.

"After planting over 60 trees throughout South Buffalo last year with Re-Tree WNY and other volunteer organizations, we were extremely eager to bring them to the table again, this time regarding the work set to take place along South Park Avenue," stated Kennedy. "As usual, Re-Tree WNY stepped up to the plate on behalf of this community. The organization's role in the project will no doubt be historic and bring an extended beauty to the commercial strip that has never been seen before."

"The work taking place along South Park Avenue was attractive to us because South Park Avenue truly is the gateway to the Botanical Gardens, Our Lady of Victory Basilica and South Park," said Paul Maurer, Chairman of Re-Tree Western New York. "This avenue has a rich history and we are happy to play a role in enhancing and beautifying the community."

The October Storm of 2006 caused devastation throughout Western New York. Thousands of trees fell victim to the wind and ice, drastically transforming the streetscapes of our neighborhoods overnight. In an effort to restore all that was lost during that freak storm, Re-Tree WNY rose from the ashes and began making a difference one tree at a time. To date, Re-Tree WNY has planted over 9,100 trees in the City of Buffalo and the surrounding suburbs.

The South Park Avenue project, which is set to break ground in only a few months, will be capped off by a massive planting in the spring of 2010 by Re-Tree WNY and volunteers from all over the region. If you are interested in participating in the planting, please call Legislator Tim Kennedy's office at 824-6180.

"The work Re-Tree WNY is going to be doing is truly amazing," stated Kennedy. "The hard work and diligence of the South Park Avenue Revitalization committee, combined with commitments from partners like Re-Tree, will re-energize our commercial strip and help it to flourish."

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