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Ventnor officials, green team outline street-tree plantings and yearlong art contest
Summary
Commissioners and the green team described a roughly 23-tree planting project on Ventnor Avenue and nearby blocks, emphasizing species chosen for wildlife benefits, a yearlong art contest for residents and students, and a maintenance plan that includes watering over the first year.
Ventnor City officials and members of the green team on Nov. 13 described a streetscape project that planted roughly 23 new trees, added planters cut into sidewalks and standardized ground plantings in commercial blocks to improve esthetics and ecological resiliency.
Mayor Bridal credited the green team and county partners with coordinating permitting and planting logistics. He and staff detailed the species mix — including red maples, willow oaks and serviceberries paired with native grasses — and said plantings will be staked and fitted with soaker “gator” bags and covered by contractor watering for the first year to improve survival.
Diane Birkbeck, a green team member who identified herself from 3 North Cambridge Avenue, told the commission the species were chosen for wildlife benefits (food and nesting for birds and pollinators) and described an educational component: the city will launch a yearlong art contest after the holidays for drawings, photography and mixed media tied to the new trees. The green team said the contest will include outreach to schools, a public exhibition of entries and educational materials to encourage community stewardship.
Commissioners said they hope to replicate similar plantings on Dorset Avenue in the spring and thanked volunteers for coordinating with county permitting staff. The city asked the green team to provide materials for publicity and photo opportunities to promote the program.
