The Rotary Club of Moorestown planted one tree for each of their members at Locust Street Park.
The Rotary Club of Moorestown has laid down roots in Moorestown. On the morning of Saturday, April 14, Rotarians converged on Locust Street Park and planted a tree for each of its members. The aim of the project was to participate in Rotary International’s initiative to plant one tree for each member by Earth Day and to help reforest the sparse park.
Rotary Board Member Paul Spain said when Rotary International announced the one tree for every Rotarian initiative, members of the Moorestown chapter reached out to the township about eight months ago to strategize.
Township Manager Thomas Merchel joked he nearly “fell out of his chair” when he heard the Rotary wanted to plant approximately 200 trees in town. He said staff and members of the tree committee consulted on the project. The tree committee receives saplings each year through the state, which it decided would be appropriate for the project.
The Rotary’s breakfast and lunch clubs also financed 15 larger trees for the project. As the planning unfolded, the project gained momentum, and Franzeo’s Landscaping offered to donate its services and brought the heavy machinery free of charge, Spain said.
“Ultimately, we’re going to to kind of do that into a reforestation type area,” Merchel said of the township’s choice of Locust Street Park.
The township has a long-term plan to have more naturally forested areas throughout town, Spain said. He said this cuts down the amount of mowing It has to do and is better for the environment.
Spain said the project is a “win-win” with the township getting its project done at a low cost, and the Rotary getting to fulfill its initiative.
The club budgeted four hours to get the project done on Saturday but finished in half the time due to the overwhelming enthusiasm among members willing to help and Franzeo’s aid, Spain said.
The township will continue to mow the exterior of the park, but the Rotary will maintain the trees. Spain said Rotary members will come out each week and make sure the trees are properly watered and thriving.
“It’s a great project in conjunction in with Tom Merchel and the township to use the the volunteer resources from the Rotary Club and the local community to make this park a beautiful place to come to in the future,” Spain said.
