City halts 311 street tree requests, disappointing grass-roots tree activists

The NYC Parks Department has discontinued its program that allowed residents to request street tree plantings via 311, a service available since the late 2000s. The decision was revealed by Streetsblog and took place on Earth Day, with the department stating that it will now focus on a zone-based strategy that targets areas suffering from heat without adequate tree cover. While this new plan aims for a more comprehensive approach, it means neighborhoods will only receive tree planting attention every nine years, leading to concerns about urban greenery sustainability. Resident Brad Vogel has highlighted the importance of grassroots efforts in expanding the city’s tree canopy.

Vogel said, "The grassroots approach has been critical for expanding the city's tree canopy," emphasizing the importance of resident involvement in the urban greening effort.

The Parks Department's closure of individual street tree planting requests signifies a shift to a more systematic, but slower, zone-based planting strategy.

With the new approach, neighborhoods will receive tree planting attention every nine years, raising concerns about the sustainability and growth of urban green spaces.

Residents like Vogel relied on the 311 system for personalized tree requests, allowing them to play an active role in their community’s environmental future.

Read at Brooklyn Eagle