When poet Joyce Kilmer wrote, “I think that I shall never see/ A poem lovely as a tree,” he did not have a tree in Hamilton Park in mind.
But he could have. His lyric poem, “Trees,” written in February 1913, is said to have been inspired by one of several locations in New Jersey where the poet spent part of his life, and was penned in the upstairs bedroom of his family home in Mahwah.
For residents living near Jersey City’s Hamilton Park, the poem may well have significance as students and others gathered in the park last week to plant new trees.
On Oct. 16, Delta Dental of New Jersey (DDNJ) hosted its inaugural tree-planting ceremony to celebrate the success of the Dentis-Trees program, which is designed to encourage the offices of dental practices to enjoy the benefits of going paperless while helping to save trees.
DDNJ made contributions to the NJ Tree Foundation on behalf of every participating dental office that enrolled in Direct Deposit with the company. Further enrollments will result in the planting of more trees in New Jersey cities. The tree was planted in Hamilton Park, where the students of Rafael De J. Cordero Elementary School play.
“The Dentis-Trees program is all about helping dentists ‘save green while going green.’” – Dr. Keith Libou
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“The Dentis-Trees program is all about helping dentists ‘save green while going green,’” said Dr. Keith Libou, chief clinical officer, Delta Dental of New Jersey. “The contribution we make to the NJ Tree Foundation on behalf of all dentists who enroll in direct deposit will facilitate the planting of trees in New Jersey cities. The communities we serve are incredibly important to us, so being able to give back in this way while providing our network of Delta Dental participating dentists with a convenient, eco-friendly tool is a win-win.”
Others that attended the tree planting includes Hamilton Park Conservancy President Yvonne Thurman-Dogruer and Vice Chair Bob McHugh; Amanda Khan, of the Jersey City Department of Public Works; Delta Dental of New Jersey representatives; NJ Tree Foundation representatives; Drs. Minervini and Sandler and staff of Kearny Dental Associates (one of the participating dental offices that helped make the tree-planting possible); Rafael De J. Cordero Elementary School; and PS No. 37 principal, school nurse and students.
Students helped to plant the 10 to 12 foot Cherry Okame tree.
For the local ecology, this is a big deal
Hamilton Park is at the center of the Hamilton Park Historic District in downtown Jersey City, an area known for its tree-lined streets and Victorian brownstones that were constructed in the aftermath of the American Civil War.
The 5.4-acre “residential square” park has become a civic center for a number of activities, but is known especially for its trees.
Those associated with the park have long been concerned about maintaining the trees. Earlier this year, tree expert John Linson did a study of the park trees and issued a recommendation on the removal of some trees. The Jersey City Department of Parks and Forestry is deciding what to remove based on the survey. Linson also recommended replanting of new trees over the next two years.
In August, Gerald Nicholls, chair of the Jersey City Environmental Commission, did a presentation on Jersey City Tree Canopy Study Assessment at Jersey City Parks Coalition meeting.
The report is key in capturing findings and recommendations in maintaining and improving the tree canopy as a long-term mechanism for providing environmental and financial benefits.
Fulop to expand annual tree planting program
A partnership between the City of Jersey City and the Jersey City Parks Coalition will result in more than 2,020 trees planted citywide over the next five years, city officials announced this week.
The Parks Coalition has set as a goal to plant 2,020 trees over the next five years as part of the Bigger Dig 2020, with the first several trees being planted this week in Arlington Park. The City has committed $60,000 each year for five years toward the partnership, which in year one will focus on tree planting in city parks and other open spaces.
“Green, open spaces are absolutely essential for any city, which is why we’ve been expanding parks over the past two years,” said Fulop. “Now, we’re making sure to keep our city beautiful and green with thousands of new trees.”
The Parks Coalition will determine the planting locations based on a recent Tree Canopy Study commissioned by the Jersey City Environmental Commission that found Jersey City had a significant tree shortage, as well as through GIS mapping technology provided by New Jersey City University.
Launched by the JCPC with support from the City of Jersey City in 2011, the BIG DIG has been an annual community-service and beautification event that won national recognition and an award in Washington, D.C. its very first year. Four years and 238,000 daffodils and tulips later, the Parks Coalition and the City are going bigger and taller with a plan to fill parks, streets and public spaces with more than 2,020 trees by 2020.
The initiative will also include a fundraising effort for the citywide tree-planting project that will begin next October 2016 and continue through 2020. Complementing the tree planting will be the ongoing training of the JCTLC volunteers beginning in spring 2016 and continuing throughout the year.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.