GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The City of Greenfield has received a $95,000 grant to “Green Federal Street” with the planting of 40 trees and restoring two areas where the tree belts have been paved over.
The “Greening Federal Street” project is a collaboration between the city and the Greenfield Tree Committee, and the city was one of only eight recipients of this grant in the Cooling Corridors program.
From the City of Greenfield:
Greenfield Adds Street Trees with New $95K Grant Award for Greening Federal Street Project
The City of Greenfield has been awarded $95,240 for its Greening Federal Street project, which will transform a
section of Federal Street from a treeless, harsh environment to a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly walking route by
planting trees. The funding is from an Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) FY26
Cooling Corridors grant.
section of Federal Street from a treeless, harsh environment to a welcoming, pedestrian-friendly walking route by
planting trees. The funding is from an Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) FY26
Cooling Corridors grant.
The project plan calls for planting 40 trees, as well as restoring two areas where tree belts (planting strips) have
been paved over. The tree belts will be restored by removing impervious pavement, remediating or replacing the
soil, seeding the tree belts with grass, and planting trees.
been paved over. The tree belts will be restored by removing impervious pavement, remediating or replacing the
soil, seeding the tree belts with grass, and planting trees.
Greening Federal Street is a collaborative project between the City of Greenfield and Greenfield Tree Committee
(GTC), and includes the support of Greenfield’s Mayor, DPW Director, Planning Board, and Tree Warden, as
well as the Franklin County Chamber, the Greenfield Business Association, and Federal Street residents. The
Healey-Driscoll administration recently awarded nearly $632,000 in grants from the Cooling Corridors program; Greenfield was one of only eight municipalities to receive funding, highlighting the impact and need for more trees in our city.
(GTC), and includes the support of Greenfield’s Mayor, DPW Director, Planning Board, and Tree Warden, as
well as the Franklin County Chamber, the Greenfield Business Association, and Federal Street residents. The
Healey-Driscoll administration recently awarded nearly $632,000 in grants from the Cooling Corridors program; Greenfield was one of only eight municipalities to receive funding, highlighting the impact and need for more trees in our city.
“The City’s partnership with the Greenfield Tree Committee has once again yielded a great result for our
community,” said Mayor Virginia Desorgher. “This time, we’ve brought in nearly $100,000 worth in new trees
and streetscape improvements to Federal Street, a critical route that desperately needs more shade.”
community,” said Mayor Virginia Desorgher. “This time, we’ve brought in nearly $100,000 worth in new trees
and streetscape improvements to Federal Street, a critical route that desperately needs more shade.”
The grant was designed and written by the outgoing President of Greenfield Tree Committee, Mary Chicoine.
Margo Jones, current Co-President of GTC, says “We are thrilled that EEA has selected Greenfield for the second
year in a row for a Cooling Corridors grant. The Greening Federal Street project tackles a very serious problem in
our city regarding paving of tree belts and the bare aesthetics that prevail along our major commercial arteries
leading to the city center. Where there are virtually no trees along the street, this funding will enable us to plant 40 trees. It will enhance the shopping environment, comforting walkers, bike riders, and the residents who live
there.”
Margo Jones, current Co-President of GTC, says “We are thrilled that EEA has selected Greenfield for the second
year in a row for a Cooling Corridors grant. The Greening Federal Street project tackles a very serious problem in
our city regarding paving of tree belts and the bare aesthetics that prevail along our major commercial arteries
leading to the city center. Where there are virtually no trees along the street, this funding will enable us to plant 40 trees. It will enhance the shopping environment, comforting walkers, bike riders, and the residents who live
there.”
John Bottomley, GTC Co-President noted that GTC will provide knowledgeable members to inspect the plantings
and ensure that proper watering and maintenance of the new trees will be provided over the two-year duration of
the grant. A project kick-off event will be organized with a presentation about the project, the benefits of planting
trees, the types of trees being planted, and why they were chosen for the project. Attendees can also learn about
appropriate trees to plant (“right tree, right place”) and the benefits trees and plants have for climate change
mitigation. To join GTC and volunteer, please contact them on their website at:
https://www.greenfieldtreecommittee.org/contact.
and ensure that proper watering and maintenance of the new trees will be provided over the two-year duration of
the grant. A project kick-off event will be organized with a presentation about the project, the benefits of planting
trees, the types of trees being planted, and why they were chosen for the project. Attendees can also learn about
appropriate trees to plant (“right tree, right place”) and the benefits trees and plants have for climate change
mitigation. To join GTC and volunteer, please contact them on their website at:
https://www.greenfieldtreecommittee.org/contact.
The Cooling Corridors grant program aims to create cooler and more enjoyable spaces for walking and gathering
by planting trees that offer shade. In neighborhoods that experience high summer temperatures, establishing tree
cover, including small groups of trees known as micro-forests, can significantly help reduce heat-related health
issues, particularly in Environmental Justice populations that are often more vulnerable to extreme heat.
by planting trees that offer shade. In neighborhoods that experience high summer temperatures, establishing tree
cover, including small groups of trees known as micro-forests, can significantly help reduce heat-related health
issues, particularly in Environmental Justice populations that are often more vulnerable to extreme heat.
The Greening Federal Street grant builds upon the work completed with the City’s FY25 Cooling Corridors
Grant, which funded the planting of more than 70 trees along Beacon Street, Sanderson Street, High Street, and
Federal Streets. Most of the trees were planted in October, with the remainder to be with planted this coming
spring.
Grant, which funded the planting of more than 70 trees along Beacon Street, Sanderson Street, High Street, and
Federal Streets. Most of the trees were planted in October, with the remainder to be with planted this coming
spring.
Both Cooling Corridors grants fund materials and labor for tree planting and other project tasks. Both project
areas are within Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs declared “Hot Spots” and severe to
moderate “urban heat islands.” These conditions point to the need for planting trees for the cooling effects they
will provide to the neighborhood and on walking routes. The Commonwealth and the City of Greenfield
recognize that tree planting is an important cooling strategy as the climate warms.
areas are within Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs declared “Hot Spots” and severe to
moderate “urban heat islands.” These conditions point to the need for planting trees for the cooling effects they
will provide to the neighborhood and on walking routes. The Commonwealth and the City of Greenfield
recognize that tree planting is an important cooling strategy as the climate warms.
