It’s not every day that 150 stakes with bright orange caps appear along South Avenue, or anywhere for that matter. What has been a Town and New Canaan Beautification League phased project since 1999, the best is yet to come. Phase one consisted of the planting of 56 trees from Cherry Street to Bank Street. We started phase 2 in September 2022 when our government funding became available. After planning and preparations, our current plan calls for approximately 150 trees to be planted along South Ave between Cherry Street all the way down to the YMCA. Virtually all of the trees will be a variety of 25 different native species, including oaks, maples, sycamore, elm, dogwood, hawthorn, tupelo, and linden.
These species will support healthy local ecosystems (produce oxygen, prevent erosion, store atmospheric carbon, support pollinators), as well as offer natural beauty, cooling shade, health benefits, educational opportunities, and demonstrate our values in a public way along a gateway route into New Canaan, enriching future generations.
Planting is expected to take place, subject to state approval, this Spring. NCBL did the charting and mapping, along with formal drawings required by the state, done by Keith Simpson Associates. NCBL members Jill Ernst and Betsy Bilus were key workers in this project. The Town will plant, water, and maintain the trees.
