Midtown Manhattan Demanding More Trees
In Midtown Manhattan, a new movement has begun, with residents rallying together in an attempt to plant more trees in their neighborhood. More specifically, as explained in a DNAinfo article, the West 54th-55th Street Block Association has petitioned the NYC government to plant at least several dozen trees on 55th Street, between Fifth and Seventh Avenues, as well as 56th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Aside from the obvious aesthetic improvements that would go hand in hand with the reformation, there are more practical reasons as well. Some residents are desperately seeking momentary relief from NYC's baking sun. Explains Elena Volkova, a board member of the block association, "When you walk down West 55th in the summertime, you really feel like you need more protection."
The West 54th-55th Street Block Association hopes to solicit the help of Mayor Bloomberg, whose program MillionTreesNYC aims to plant one million trees by 2017. However, while residents of Midtown Manhattan may want to increase their greenery, others throughout NYC are not as enthusiastic. The reason for their dismay is simple -- once the trees are planted, the onus is then placed upon residents to maintain them. Many New Yorkers perceive this to be a nuisance, but not the West 54th-55th Street Block Association. In fact, they are more than willing to do their part. "Trees really communicate community, that people take care of this street," explains Volkova. In other words, residents of Midtown Manhattan are hoping to create more of a neighborhood feel through the addition of greenery in one of NYC's most vibrant communities. More trees does not simply mean more shade, or even the beautification of the neighborhood; it affords residents of these Manhattan apartment buildings, whether they are luxury rentals or condominiums, the opportunity to make Midtown Manhattan feel more like home.