Over 90% of American households own at least one car, and in Connecticut 77% of residents drive to work. Parking lots are ubiquitous in Greenwich but they do not have to be eyesores.
Since 2018, the Greenwich Tree Conservancy has prioritized the greening of town parking lots. This summer they have planted 14 additional trees in the William Street and Henry Street parking lots in Byram as part of their “Parking Parks” initiative.
Unshaded pavement can be up to 45° F hotter than shaded areas, significantly contributing to the heat island effect seen in urban spaces. One of the simplest yet most effective methods to combat this problem is by planting trees. The shade provided by trees helps keep parking lots and cars cooler, but they also provide many other benefits to human health and the environment.
Click here to read the full press release on Greenwich Free Press.