Thanks to a partnership between the Noble Tree Foundation, Men’s Garden Club, and Partners for Active Living, the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail is on its way to having a significant canopy. Volunteers for the groups planted 42 new trees recently and seek feedback for additional public spaces where trees are needed.
The new trees are located in three primary areas. The first is near the Henry Street trailhead near II Samuels Restaurant and the Thomas Hannah YMCA. The second is just past the Marion Avenue intersection near Hodge Carpet and Brock Construction & Millworks. And the final grouping is close Forest Avenue.
“The Noble Tree Foundation Board was inspired by what was happening along the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail. We wanted to be part of these efforts. We were pleased to collaborate with the Men’s Garden Club and Partners for Active Living to enhance the beauty of this public space in Spartanburg with trees that will be here for decades to come,” said Ashley Allen, chair of the Noble Tree Foundation.
“These trees will increase the aesthetics and appeal of the MBF Rail Trail. With over the 100,000 annual uses in 2018 on the Trail, this continues to be a beloved community recreation destination,” said Laura Ringo, executive director of Partners for Active Living. “It is an honor to partner with the Noble Tree Foundation and Men’s Garden Club on this important project.”
The trees included 28 Overcup Oaks and five Metasequoias near Henry Street, six Chickapin Oaks near Marion Avenue, and 3 Nutsell Oaks near Forest Avenue.
This planting was made possible thanks to strong community collaboration and support provided by the Noble Tree Foundation, Will Montgomery who dug the holes, mulch provided by Scott Montgomery and Christian Swenson, and trees secured by Roebuck Wholesale Nursey.
Volunteers included Noble Tree representatives Betty Montgomery, Stewart Winslow, and Anne Flynn. Men’s Garden Club volunteers were Bob Reynolds, Allen Pruitt, Jimmy Kelly, and Rusty Edmonds. Community volunteers Herb Jones and Chip Johnson stopped by to participate. Finally, PAL’s Laura Ringo assisted with planning.
The groups seek community feedback for the location of additional trees in public, community spaces and needs volunteers for future plantings. Suggestions can be shared with Partners for Active Living at [email protected].