by Angie Johnson

We sure have outdone ourselves this time!

45 New Street Trees planted on two blocks – all in a days work! In the spirit of Earth Day and Arbor Day combined, this year’s project involved the complete transformation of the 200 and 300 blocks of North 9th Street. The project planning began almost two years ago at the completion of the 900 block of Chew Street re-do. Using a detailed inventory of the existing street trees in the district and evaluating, tree density, age, species and health, it was determined that the next two projects would be on 9th street. So the project actually began as a two-year or two-phase project. Due to the overwhelming support from our funders at the Century Fund, City of Allentown, and private contributions, combined with an incredible amount of physical assistance from the City of Allentown Streets Dept and Parks Dept, we were able to realize this project all at once. The only thing left was volunteer support, which turned out in force. Old Allentown has the best volunteer support, we cannot thank you enough! And to those who came out beyond our own ranks just shows the positivity and connection this organization has with others!

Additional thank yous go out to all of the property owners and residents who cooperated throughout the entire process, Ken Ek Photography and family for documenting the event and helping to clean up, our City Forester Rick Howells for all his assistance and expertise leading up to and during the event, the City Street Dept workers who spent their Saturday working along with us, The Mayor and Allentown City Council for their continued support and sharing the vision of Old Allentown, the APD who helped keep our work area safe and it certainly didn’t hurt to have our own Captain Granitz pitching in!, and finally the OAPA Board of Directors that support these important long range improvement projects. A days worth of work for DECADES of benefit.