Beautification Successes

Wow, we had a successful week!   On Friday, thanks to the cooperative efforts of the Friends of Indian River, the City of Chesapeake Public Works, the Sheriff's Office, and a multitude of supporting agencies, we've planted around 30 trees along Indian River Road just east of the bridge. Fifteen community volunteers who took time off on Friday to make this happen.    You can find photos of the planting at https://www.facebook.com/media/set (no Facebook account required).

Saturday morning, ten volunteers came out again to participate in the Great American Cleanup. Working along Indian River Road and around the shoreline at the bridge, we collected 18 bags of trash and a tire; about half from along the street and half from around the bridge. Another big Thank You to the the dedicated crew!

These efforts to beautify our community would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers.   On behalf of the entire community, we extend a heartfelt Thank You to all our volunteers.

Sincerely,
Rogard Ross
President, Friends of Indian River

Tree Planting Rescheduled for Friday, April 11th, 9:30 am

We have been working with the City to reschedule the tree planting and the best available date is Friday, April 11th.   We understand that not everyone can make it on Friday, but at least we'll get it done and give the trees a chance to acclimate before the weather turns hot.    We're asking for available volunteers to arrive at 9:30 am, meet at the corner of Lilac and Indian River Road.   The work may stretch into the afternoon, so stay as long as you are available; join us later in the day if you are not available in the morning.   Please see the original message below for details on what to bring and what to expect on the day of the planting.

On Saturday, April 12th, we have an already scheduled cleanup along Indian River Road at 9:30 am.  We'll focus our efforts around the bridge and finish any leftover planting tasks from Friday.   If you can't make it out on Friday, consider joining us on Saturday.   Meet at the side parking lot of the Post Office.


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We are one week away from our big volunteer tree planting along Indian River Road that we are doing with the City of Chesapeake.  Many of you probably saw the city crews out on Friday chopping back the overgrown privet on the westbound side of Indian River Road.   This was in preparation for the big tree planting on March 29th.   Sometime next week the city will be digging the holes for the trees, which will be delivered on that Saturday morning.

We are asking volunteers to meet around 9:30 am, Friday, April 11th, on the corner of Lilac and Indian River Road so we can get everyone signed in and organized into teams.    We'll give a demonstration on planting the trees and will have Master Gardeners with us to help show folks how to plant the trees.  We hope you can come out and join us.

Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves.  If you can, bring shovels, rakes, and other gardening tools helpful in planting.  We will have water and lots of snacks.  (We also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles).  Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.    Please park along Lilac Avenue, or walk if you are nearby.

We'll be planting  about 7 bald cypresses, a few hollies, 6 goldenrain trees, almost two dozen plum trees, maybe some nandina, and if we have enough volunteers doing some weeding in the planters on the bridge corners.