Trees, Glorious Trees!

Those of you who walk or ride the Venetian Waterway Park may have noticed the new trees recently planted adjacent to the trail behind the Venice Elementary School. The project was the idea of ACHIEVE/Active Living for Life coordinator Jennifer Tucker-Mogensen.

Supported locally by the South County Family YMCA, ACHIEVE is actively involved in the pursuit of developing active and healthy community lifestyles. To provide additional shade for VWP trail users, ACHIEVE board member Fred Hammett, was asked to spearhead the project by getting permission from the land owner Army Corps of Engineers, and its local property custodian, West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND). After several months permission was finally granted.

Within forty-eight hours of gaining permission the first of thirteen live oak trees were planted. It will take several years before shade will actually benefit trail users, but it’s a start. In addition to the eventual shade, the trees will improve the landscape, help satisfy Tree City USA requirements, and of course all the health benefits trees provide. Partnering in the project is Venice Area Beautification, Inc. whose Pepper Patrol team planted the trees, and will insure they will be properly watered. Good health, the benefits are priceless.