Manhattan Parks Commissioner Bill Castro, Senator Bill Perkins, Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell, IV, Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, Chair of Community Board 11 Robert Rodriguez and students from P.S. 96 planted a ceremonial tree on May 30th to celebrate 23 new trees planted on 120th street next to the school, as part of the City’s MillionTreesNYC initiative. MillionTreesNYC is a citywide, public-private initiative between the City of New York and New York Restoration Project with an ambitious goal to plant and care for one million new trees across the city’s five boroughs by 2017.

“Every day is a tree-ific day for planting trees in New York City, and today we are happy to green an entire block next to P.S. 96,” said Commissioner Benepe.  “These trees, a mix of Lindens and European hornbeams, will give students and pedestrians cooler temperatures, cleaner air, and more shade.  Thanks to MillionTreesNYC, a joint initiative of the City of New York and the New York Restoration Project, we are well on our way to becoming a greener, leafier and healthier city.”

MillionTreesNYC is funded through PlaNYC, the Mayor's far-reaching plan to fight global warming and create a more livable city. MillionTreesNYC funding enables the Parks Department to green entire blocks at a time with street tree planting, with the goal of increasing the City’s urban forest by 20%.

Students and administrators from P.S. 96 worked with the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit to request street trees on 120th street. The Parks Department planted all 23 trees in one day, lining the street with Linden trees.

“This is a wonderful example of how New Yorkers can come together to improve the quality of life in their communities,” said Nazli Parvizi, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit. “These 23 new trees do more than get us closer to our goal of planting one million trees by 2017. They beautify the neighborhood and contribute to the East Harlem community in a lasting and meaningful way, which will help in creating a thriving, green city that all New Yorkers can be proud of.”