CHCA board planning street tree program

Posted 7/29/14

by Kevin Dicciani

At a lightly attended meeting of the CHCA Board of Directors on July 24 that consisted mostly of division reports, an upcoming project to repopulate Germantown Avenue with …

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CHCA board planning street tree program

Posted

by Kevin Dicciani

At a lightly attended meeting of the CHCA Board of Directors on July 24 that consisted mostly of division reports, an upcoming project to repopulate Germantown Avenue with street trees came up.

Larry McEwen, vice president for the Physical Division, discussed the Green Space Initiative Tree-Planting Campaign – a measure that would see 50 trees planted along Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill.

At Thursday's meeting, McEwen said that the goal is to have the trees – a variety of different species – planted from 8600 Germantown Ave. to either Mermaid or Moreland Ave. He said there are 36 locations where empty plots currently exist, but first dead trees must be removed and fresh soil laid. A remainder of 18 locations have been identified as viable locations for the “planned diversity.”

McEwen said space is being considered at length, and the trees will be carefully planted so they, and existing parking meters, do not prevent cars parked along the avenue from opening their doors.

To raise funds for the trees, which are speculatively priced at around $1000 a piece, McEwen said there will be a fundraising package for people interested in purchasing the plots, as well as an opportunity to purchase them at the Fall for the Arts Festival. McEwen said the planting should begin on November 1 and end before Thanksgiving. The publicity and the fundraising campaign will begin in August.

President Will Detweiler said it sounds like “a wonderful program.”

Circle of Trees

The Circle of Trees, an annual tree lighting ceremony will once again be sponsored by the Chestnut Hill Community Association and the Chestnut Hill Business Association. The event has become a time honored tradition on the Hill for adults and children alike, with an array of activities which include a mummers group, live music, dancing, hot chocolate, cookies and much more.

At issue was whether the CHCA wanted to continue doing the event jointly with the CHBA and to do so at Woodmere Art Museum where it was moved after many years at Christ Ascension Lutheran Church.

The board voted to continue to partner with the CHBA on the event.

Other items

Some time was spent discussing a possible picnic that the CHCA would host at the Chestnut Hill fire house in August. Social Vice President Chris Padova discussed logistics but a plan and date had yet to be set. He said he was hoping to hold the event in August.

In closing the meeting Detweiler said he would like to explore the idea of an online radio station for Chestnut Hill. He said he would like a station featuring music and talk about the neighborhood. The board moved to allow him to continue exploring the idea.

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