Mesa residents are being encouraged to come together and actively participate in beautifying their city by planting trees. February's "Love My Park Month" in Mesa offers a prime opportunity for locals to get their hands dirty and to truly show their love for the community's green spaces. The City has set a volunteer event for February 22nd at Sherwood Park, where participants can help plant up to 100 trees from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. This initiative, a collaboration with the Mesa Tree Stewards, aims to bolster the park's canopy coverage with desert-adapted and native shade trees that are designed to thrive in Mesa's arid environment.
The event isn't just about adding greenery; it's also meant to teach Mesa's tree stewards and residents alike. Working alongside Parks and Recreation staff, volunteers will assist in creating tree-planting maps and orchestrating future 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, as reported by MesaNow.org. The efforts are expected to not only beautify Sherwood Park but also serve a practical function by capturing rainwater and reducing traffic noise.
Currently, Sherwood Park boasts a modest 4% tree canopy, with the surrounding neighborhood at 8%. Integrating an additional 100 trees should considerably augment this percentage, contributing to Mesa's broader "Trees Are Cool Initiative." Launching back in 2023, the ambitious program aims to plant a million trees by the middle of the century, with the goal of hitting a 15% canopy target across the city. Attendees of the tree-planting event will also get a first look at M.O.R.E. (Mesa Outdoor Recreation Experience), a new initiative by the Mesa Parks and Recreation team that seeks to educate the community on the desert's unique ecosystem through interactive experiences.
Mesa Parks and Recreation is further engaging the community with a month-long celebration of parks, each week highlighting a different outdoor experience—from playgrounds and biking to natural exploration and dog parks. More details about these themed weeks and volunteer opportunities for the tree planting event can be found on the Arizona Sustainability Alliance website. For those interested in participating or learning more about Mesa's various recreation opportunities, visiting the city's Parks and Recreation online resources is encouraged.
