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KANSAS CITY, Mo.– The 24th Street corridor is getting some new residents, trees. Arbor Day kick starts the initiative to beautify the urban core. Students are Crispus Attucks and Phillis Wheatley Elementary schools welcomed their new trees on the playgrounds. Lily Walling, a fifth grader at Crispus Attucks says she’s ready for some shade on recess.

“I’m excited that we are going to have trees to sit under when it’s really hot outside,” said Walling.

At Crispus Attucks Hermes Landscaping planted Linden and Elm trees but before that they planted flowers.

“We planted a tulip bed at 24th and Chestnut,” said Sarah Hermes.  “Those are blooming in this dreary weather and planting the trees for arbor is the second piece of that.”

The idea started with Emanuel Cooper to revitalize the neighborhood. Now, he’s doing that one tree at a time with the help of Hermes.

 “It was a real joy to listen to the comments and the viewpoints of the students today,” said Cooper.  “It’s amazing what a tree will do in engaging conversation and interest.”

Crispus Attucks and Phillis Wheatley schools are the borders and the project will continue with more planting in between the schools.

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