Can YOU dig it? Denver Digs Trees
Program deadline March 16. Trees for $25

The Park People is now accepting applications for its annual Denver Digs Trees street tree program. Denver residents who have room to add a street tree must submit a tree request by March 16. Trees are just $25, or free for homeowners in 21 target neighborhoods. The trees will be distributed on Saturday, April 18. “Our Denver Digs Trees program is a time-honored tradition in Denver and, as The Park People celebrate their 40^th birthday this year, the program holds even more significance,” says Paige Heydon-McCrary, executive director of The Park People. “Annually, we distribute between 1,200-1,600 street trees throughout Denver. We have enhanced the city’s urban forest by adding more than 35,000 street trees, with hundreds more sold each year at our Earth Day tree sale.”

Street trees for Denver residents are $25 each, or free for residents who live in one of the 21 targeted neighborhoods, which have the lowest tree canopy coverage citywide: Baker, Barnum, Barnum West, Chaffee Park, Clayton, Cole, Elyria/Swansea, Five Points, Globeville, Jefferson Park, Lincoln Park, Northeast Park Hill, Ruby Hill, Skyland, Sunnyside, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, West Colfax, Westwood, and Whittier.

“Thanks to our dedicated sponsors, we are able to offer free or discounted trees that truly make a difference in those neighborhoods with low tree canopy coverage,” says Heydon-McCrary. “Additionally, for those outside the target areas, the $25 fee we request is a fraction of retail prices and accounts for less than one fifth of the cost to provide each tree,” she adds. Tree request forms are available at www.theparkpeople.org by calling 303-722-6262, or by sending an e-mail to info@theparkpeople.org

Available tree varieties include Legacy Sugar Maple, American Sentry Linden, Gingko Biloba, Ohio Buckeye, Spring Snow Crabapple, and White Oak. All have been selected for their adaptability to Denver’s climate, and will be distributed at six convenient sites. The Earth Day yard tree sale will be held on Saturday, April 19, at the Washington Park site for those wishing to plant trees on private property. Additional tree varieties will be available.

Denver Digs Trees involves hundreds of dedicated community members who contribute thousands of hours to ensure the success of the program. Volunteers are still needed. Visit the web site or call the office for more information. “We are a small but effective non-profit,” says Heydon-Mc- Crary. “We rely on volunteers to help us ensure that Denver’s neighborhoods are green, beautiful and thriving.” The Park People is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, enhancing and advocating for Denver’s parks, recreation resources, open space and urban forest. The Denver Digs Trees program is a collaboration between The Park People and Denver Forestry Department. Program supporters include the City’s Division of Business and Housing Services, Esurance, the Colorado Garden Show, Energy Outreach Colorado, and Xcel Energy Foundation.

Parks and Recreation Center Fee Changes

Effective September 1, 2011 membership fees have changed. Please pick up a brochure at the Cook Park Recreation Center, call them at 720-865-0610 or call Denver info at “311”. There are three tiers of Recreation Centers:

• Neighborhood Centers which include Aztlan, Barnum, Highland Senior, La Alma, Martin Luther King, Platt Park, St. Charles, Stapleton and Swansea. Annual Fees for Denver residents are $190 for ages 25-64, $135 for ages 18-24, $35 for ages 2-17 and $85 for 65+ or disabled.
  

• Local Centers which include Cook Park, Hiawatha Davis, Eisenhower, Glenarm, Green Valley Ranch, Harvard Gulch, Harvey Park, La Familia, Southwest, Twentieth Street and Ashland. Annual Fees are $249 for ages 25-64, $180 for ages 18-24, $42 for ages 2-17 and $99 for 65+ or disabled.
  

• Regional Centers which include Athmar, Central Park, Montbello, Montclair, Rude, Scheitler and Washington Park. Annual Fees are $369 for ages 25-64, $270 for ages 18-24, $50 for ages 2-17 and $119 for 65+ or disabled. Non-Resident Fees are more. There are also membership rates for a day pass, 15 visits or 30 visits. There is an Annual Family rate at all centers where one adult family member pays the full rate, and any additional immediate family members, living in the same household, will be discounted 50% off.