February is Love My Park Month in Mesa and the best way to give back to our Citys parks is by planting trees in the community. The City is asking residents to join Mesas Tree Stewards and their neighbors to plant up to 100 trees on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Sherwood Park, 1453 S. Horne, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Volunteers will be working to beautify the park and expand the tree canopy cover by adding desert-adapted and desert-native shade trees. Ensuring ample tree coverage can help provide benefits to our residents including shade and cooler communities. Its also a learning program for the tree stewards from Mesa and across the valley to collaborate with Parks and Recreation staff to create a tree planting maps and events.
"The tree planting will create more shade for people walking in Sherwood Park and more shade near the playgrounds," said Scott Bouchie, Mesa Energy and Sustainability Director. "With the park serving a dual purpose as a stormwater retention basin and close proximity to a major freeway, mature trees at Sherwood will capture and slow rainwater during storms to reduce the risk of flooding. They will also absorb traffic noise, creating a quieter environment for nearby residents."
Sherwood Park has an existing tree canopy of 4% while the neighborhood surrounding Sherwood has an 8% canopy. The Feb. 22 event is part of Mesas Trees Are Cool Initiative, launched in 2023, with a goal of planting one million trees by 2050 to achieve a 15% canopy goal citywide.
The tree planting event will also offer a sneak peak of M.O.R.E. (Mesa Outdoor Recreation Experience), the new mobile nature unit of the Mesa Parks and Recreation team. M.O.R.E. will bring exciting activities and events that educate the community on the unique flora, fauna and recreation opportunities the desert has to offer. Mesa Parks and Recreation will use its webpages and social media to promote upcoming M.O.R.E. activities.
The Arizona Sustainability Alliance has more information about the event and a link to sign up to volunteer.
Love My Park Month in Mesa is the perfect time to show your appreciation for our beautiful parks. Each week in February offers a different theme:
-Playgrounds Week 1, Feb. 2-8
-Bikes Week 2, Feb. 9-15.
-Nature Week 3, Feb. 16-22
-Dog Parks Week 4, Feb. 23-28
More information about Mesa Parks and Recreation is available online.