Welcome to the beautification page of… Melrose Park Neighbors Association

This page was last updated on July 2, 2001 and features, as you scroll:

* Beautification Plan

* Suggested plants for public plantings, including Earth Day

* Free Trees through the National Tree Trust

MELROSE PARK NEIGHBORS BEAUTIFICATION PLAN drafted by Gwen Koths

1. Center traffic islands on Cheltenham Ave. from Washington Lane to Front Street. Remove the concrete traffic islands and replace them with planted island dividers comparable to the islands that are in Atington on Old York Road near the hospital. As these traffic dividers are some of the most visible structural elements that “grace’ the gateway to our community, we feel that their beautification will make. a seminal difference in both the appearance of the area and will serve as a catalyst for the adjacent businesses to accept the proposed Township revitalization plan. 2. Center traffic islands on Old York Road from Cheltenham Avenue to Ashbourne Road. Remove the concrete traffic islands and replace them with planted island dividers comparable to the islands that are in Abington on Old York Road near the hospital. 3. Landscaping of the Melrose Park Train Station Monies to implement the MPNA landscape plan that has already been approved by both Septa and the Township for plantings around the Meirose Park train station. This Septa station is the public transportation hub of our community and could once again become a focal point for local business. The proposed landscaping will make an immediate and dramatic impact on the neighborhood’s perception of the viability of the area and will also contain the erosion of the rail-bed slope.

Suggested plants for our public flower beds:

The following list from Board member Gwen Koths shows plants that are perennials, including several that are hardy and drought-resistant. When purchasing or bringing plants to an announced planting, try to bring these. (But anything pretty would be welcomed!)

Things to bring for Earth Day planting:

 

1. Tools -

rakes- need to clean up the area first
& shovels or spades
& trowels
& bulb planters & gloves

2. Trash bags and ties

3. Native Bushes:

Swamp Honeysuckle (Rhododendron viscosum) & Early Azalea ( R- roseum)
Flame azalea ( rhododendron calendulaceum)! or non -native - Delaware Valley white or any others
Mountain Laurel
Great Rhododendron
Carolina rose
Swamp rose
Wild bleeding heart
Cornus florida flowering dogwood
Redbud

4. Native Bulbs:

Canada! wild yellow lily
Wood lily
Turk's cap lily
Tiger lily (alien)
Blue flag iris - tuber
Wild Hyacinth

5. Native flowers:

Yellow & Purple fringed orchis
Trout lily
Trilli urns
May apples
Black -eyed susan
Spotted touch -me-not
Lady's slippers
Pogonias
Columbine- may be too shady for
Cardinal flower- lobelia
Rose- mallows
Shooting-star
Great Lobelia
Violets
Gentians
Virginia cowslip/blue bells
New England aster, blue wood aster
Jack -in -the-pulpit
Hepatica
Dutchman's breeches
Bluets

TREE INFORMATION about FREE TREES

(Information forwarded by MPNA Board Member Bob Tabak, 6/28/01)

New Resources - Free Trees

[posted to nslck-12]

Please forward this announcement on to any groups/individuals who may be
interested in planting trees on public lands!

The National Tree Trust (NTT), a national nonprofit organization, was
established in 1990 as part of the "America the Beautiful" initiative.
The mission of NTT is to serve as a catalyst for local volunteer and
community service groups in the growing, planting and maintenance of
trees in rural communities, urban areas and along the nation's
highways. NTT mobilizes volunteer groups, promotes public awareness,
provides grants, and unites civic and corporate institutions in support
of local tree planting and education projects.

Since 1992, NTT has provided more than 8 million trees to community
groups, non-profit organizations, local governments, and individuals to
plant on public lands. These projects have involved more than 428,000
volunteers in all 50 states. We are proud of these accomplishments and
hope you will consider our programs as an option when planning
activities for your organization in the year 2002.

Through our Community Tree Planting program you are eligible to receive
(at no cost!):
* One-year-old regionally specific tree seedlings for planting on
public land (roadsides, parks, schools, cemeteries, etc.)
* Two-gallon plastic containers if you wish to grow seedlings to a
larger size;
* A cash subsidy for potting medium of ten dollars per cubic yard;
and
* The technical assistance Tip Sheets that will guide you through
selecting your site, planning your event, maintaining your trees, and
much more.

Please consider a tree planting project when planning service activities
for the year 2002. The application for 2002 is available to download
from our web site at http://www.nationaltreetrust.org. When you log on
to the web site, please click on "Our Programs," then "Community Tree
Planting." From here you will see the link to download the
application. Please note that the deadline has been extended to June
29, 2001. Please call us at 800-846-8733 if you would like to
participate in our tree planting program, or if you have any questions
about Community Tree Planting. Thank you for considering this
opportunity and helping us "Plant America's Future".

Sincerely,

Joanne P. Miller
Assistant Program Director
National Tree Trust
(800) 846-8733 ext.19
fax: (202) 628-8735
http://www.nationaltreetrust.org

Planting America's Future!