For Immediate Release
Date: April 8, 2015

City leaders joined the Savannah Tree Foundation, Downtown Neighborhood Association, Victorian Neighborhood Association and Dubose Family Foundation on Thursday to shovel some dirt and celebrate a partnership that led to the creation of new tree lawns downtown.

“This makes sense for so many reasons,” said District 1 Alderman Van Johnson. “Grass and trees are always better than concrete. It’s what makes Savannah Savannah.”

The Savannah Tree Foundation secured a grant from the Downtown Neighborhood Association to fund the removal of barren concrete sidewalks and installation of new brick sidewalks with a 6-foot-wide tree lawn along Habersham Street between East Park and East Duffy.

The City removed a large old sweetgum tree in poor health to make way for the work, and planted eight lacebark elm trees, which should reach a mature height of 35 to 40 feet, providing a tree canopy to the corridor.

“This is a great example of how the City and various non-profit/civic organizations can partner together,” said Gordon Denney, Savannah Interim Park and Tree Director. “This project is helping to beautify the neighborhood while creating a tree canopy in an area where there was previously none.”

“This can serve as the template for 21st Century tree lawn re-design and installation,” said Karen Jenkins, executive director of the Savannah Tree Foundation. “It will have a lasting impact on this community. Shade trees planted in a properly designed and built tree lawn will have the potential to shade the sidewalk and street for the next 100-plus years.”