Phoenix park plants over 65 trees in hopes of reducing heat island effect
Volunteers and staff gathered together to plant dozens of trees to create more shade for the Maryvale neighborhood on Friday.
Maryvale is a Phoenix neighborhood with historically higher temperatures. Experts say this is in part due to the lack of tree cover.
Low canopy neighborhoods lead to a phenomenon known as the “heat island” effect, in which nighttime temperatures can be as much as 22 degrees warmer than those measured outside the area.
It not only leads to more energy consumption but also more greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, which have other harmful effects.
The Arizona Community Foundation is working to tackle the issue in underserved communities.
“We know because we live here in the summer, how incredibly hot it’s gotten. Especially for vulnerable populations, like older adults who may not be able to afford certain things. We need to invest in solutions,” said Anna María Chávez, Arizona Community Foundation President and CEO.
To heat-proof public spaces, SRP and the Phoenix city council donated 67 trees that were planted at El Oso Park near 75th Avenue and Thomas Road.
“The tree canopies provide that needed shade, which will reduce the heat in these communities. We know with pavement it soaks in the sun here in the summer,” Chávez said.
Trees not only provide shade from the sun, which lowers temperatures, but they also reduce energy use and clean the air.
“It‘s not a surprise a lot of our children in this area have asthma. It’s no surprise that it’s really hard to live a really healthy lifestyle when you can’t go out between the months of May and August, and now even October,” said Councilwoman Betty Guardado, who represents Maryvale, a 37 square-mile neighborhood in Southwest Phoenix.
Since she was elected five years ago, she’s been focused on elevating the quality of life and investing in the community.
“One of my proudest moments is to be able to say that in District 5 we have planted over 500 trees. In District 5 in the Maryvale area, we have the youngest village. So we have to look out for our young people,” Guardado said.
Maryvale is also part of the Cool Corridors Project, adding cool pavement. They’re also working on other improvement projects, including restoring the canal system along that neighborhood and adding pedestrian and bicycle paths, trees, lighting and fitness areas.