Newburgh Receives $20k for Trees on Liberty St.

NEWBURGH – Deborah Dresser called it “incredible.”

She was talking about the planting of trees on Liberty Street between Bayview and Carson. Not just one or two trees, but 25 trees.

The Conservation Advisory Committee (CAC) of Newburgh was awarded a $20,000 grant by TD Bank to plant the 25 trees on Liberty Street in the Washington Heights section. The grant will also provide for a new water vehicle for the City of Newburgh.

The Newburgh Heights Association, an organization whose members work together to improve and maintain the quality of life in the Washington Heights community, worked with the CAC to receive the grant.

Dresser commended many people and groups for their valuable contributions to the project, which has collectively transformed this part of Liberty Street. George Garrison with the City of Newburgh DPW was given praise during the celebration on Saturday for his integral role.

The City DPW provided many hours of labor, including the removal of seven trees.
Devitt’s Landscaping in New Windsor was visited frequently and the utility company Central Hudson also contributed to the tree project, offering their expert advice on how trees affect power lines.

Kippy Boyle further explained just how lucky the City of Newburgh was to be award this grant. “Newburgh was the only TD Bank region in the entire New York State that was awarded the money and there were five other communities in the Hudson Valley that applied for the grant. The whole city should be proud that we were able to get that.”

Mayor Judy Kennedy called the trees on Liberty Street a combination of what cooperation, collaboration, team work, and partnering can accomplish. “It is the story of what is turning this city around. Every time we turn around we look at another project where somebody has stepped out and decided to do something wonderful. Here someone decided to apply for a grant. That’s it. We keep trying and we keep doing and we keep succeeding and its one success after another.”

Kennedy noted that the number of trees on Liberty Street will change the dynamic of this street and neighborhood as we see the blossoms come forward in the spring.

Gail Fulton, a member of the CAC, as well as a resident of Liberty Street, who has a new tree in front of her home told those gathered on Saturday just how excited she is and the hope it brings for the future. “I’m looking forward to seeing it bloom in the spring time and looking forward to taking care of it.”