O.N.E. Branch Out on the Block: North Street’s Planter Transformation
Burlington's North Street in the Old North End (O.N.E.) could benefit greatly from a green roof. Trees not only provide shade for cooler sidewalks, but also create a healthier and more pleasant environment for residents to live, work, and play. Research shows that streets lacking trees or green spaces can be over 2 degrees hotter than those with these elements of urban vegetation.
Unfortunately, the environment on North Street is challenging for trees. Most of the ground is paved with concrete or brick, preventing rainwater from reaching the roots. Additionally, the increasingly frequent heat waves exacerbate the problem, making it difficult for trees to survive.
While bringing back a grassy greenbelt between the street and sidewalk might not be feasible, efforts are underway to increase the number of trees. For the past three years, V.J. Comai and his Parks Department team have been transplanting trees from the BOB! nursery into large concrete planters. These planters feature reservoirs in the bottom that are regularly filled to keep the soil moist. However, during the fall, the trees are removed and planted in the ground to prevent root freezing.
A discouraging issue has been vandalism of the planters with spray paint. Multiple repaints haven't been successful due to color mismatches, making the planters look unsightly. To address this, a new approach is being implemented: painting the planters in bright colors to deter tagging. This innovative solution comes from Jill Badolato [http://www.jillbadolato.com/], a renowned local artist involved in numerous mural projects. Her belief is that brightly colored planters will be less appealing targets for vandals. In mid-July, volunteers used Jill's carefully chosen color scheme to paint the 10 planters.
The initiative extends beyond colorful planters. Neighborhood volunteers, known as "Sapling Stewards," have been recruited to care for the trees. Equipped with pots of matching paint, these stewards can address any vandalism to their assigned planters. Additionally, each tree has been labeled with its name to raise awareness among residents about the surrounding greenery. The project will monitor vandalism rates to determine the effectiveness of the colorful paint scheme.
While acknowledging that using planters isn't a perfect solution, the initiative has faced challenges. Even with sufficient watering, some trees, particularly those on the north side of the street, are exhibiting signs of heat stress this summer. Symptoms include premature leaf drop in the sycamore trees and scorched edges on the horse chestnut leaves. V.J. Comai plans to continue testing different tree species to identify those best suited for the planters, considering the likelihood of increasingly frequent and intense heat waves.
Furthermore, efforts are ongoing to replant trees in the ground wherever existing tree grates allow. Any additional space along the street will also be considered for tree planting. This is an ongoing endeavor with its difficulties, but through collaboration and innovative solutions, the project is making progress towards a greener North Street.