Grow Shade: The Trees Columbus Parks Project!

Don’t throw shade. grow it!

Trees Columbus is spearheading a restoration plan for two CCG parks - Weracoba at Lakebottom and Theo McGee Park - intended to advance tree canopy management and our mission to plant, preserve, and protect Columbus’ tree canopy. Understanding that healthy urban trees are interdependent with human activity. Trees Columbus will take a unified approach to canopy preservation and park development to ensure the sustainability of the park’s natural and human systems for generations to come. With success and support, we can branch out and grow shade in ALL of your Columbus parks!

Trees Columbus Awarded Grant to “Grow Shade” in Columbus Parks

We are very excited to announce that Trees Columbus was awarded $900,000 from the Georgia Forestry Commission’s Trees Across Georgia grant program to implement our “Grow Shade” park canopy restoration project over four years in designated disadvantaged communities. To make the most of  this funding, we need the community’s help more than ever!  

Trees Columbus and Columbus Consolidated Government’s (CCG) Parks and Recreation Department have collaborated for years to renovate and activate Columbus parks through tree canopy restoration and other park improvements. Parks are the heart of the community. Columbus park tree canopy is in severe decline, which the current urban forestry program in Columbus cannot reverse. The Grow Shade project will improve the health of existing tree canopy, and add canopy in areas of Columbus that have historically been underserved by green infrastructure.  This link shows the mapping tool used to define areas of eligibility. https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5   

The first parks on the planting list are Carver Park and Theo McGee Park and we plan to plant over 100 trees in these two parks during the 2024 planting season. Lakebottom Park is also designated as a disadvantaged area and is suffering from severe tree canopy decline. We are working with CCG to obtain a permit for tree work in Lakebottom Park. If Lakebottom is a priority area for you, contact your council representative and city officials and encourage them to work with Trees Columbus to restore tree canopy at Lakebottom.

Trees Columbus wants people to enjoy trees and spend time under healthy tree canopy because research has proven that it improves our mental and physical wellbeing.  When we connect people with nature and green spaces, we make our community stronger, healthier, safer, and happier. We are ready to address the serious challenges our urban tree canopy currently faces, and we will need the community’s help.

What the grant funding does:

• Pays for tree planting within the eligible area

• Pays for arborist services related to tree planting in area of eligibility

• Pays for a coordinator to implement the program within the eligible area

What the funding does NOT do:

• Does not pay for Trees Columbus staff and/or operations

• Does not pay for tree planting or arborist services outside the designated area of eligibility

• Does not pay for arborist services outside designated area of eligibility

• Does not pay for any park improvement other than tree planting 

• Does not pay for volunteer support expenses

What YOU can do to help Trees Columbus and Parks and Recreation “Grow Shade”

• Contact your council representative and CCG officials! Remind them that trees are CRITICAL park infrastructure. Tell them you want healthy trees in the parks. What is a park without trees?

• Make a donation to implement improvements not covered by grant expenses

• Join Trees Columbus as a member so your voice makes a difference

• Volunteer for tree planting and maintenance here.

Three Principles of the Grow Shade: Trees Columbus Parks Project

• Environmental stewardship, including tree canopy resilience and watershed health

• Community health and wellness, including access to both active and passive recreational amenities

• Public education, including didactic landscapes that celebrate Columbus’ ecology and provide opportunities for the public to directly engage with the region’s natural heritage, promoting the next generation of environmental stewards