Legal Name Of Organization
Hell's Kitchen Neighborhood Association, Inc.
Purpose Of Funds
The TREE GUARDS 2009 Program will consist of designing, purchasing and installing tree guards in Hell’s Kitchen to protect the frail trees newly planted by the Parks department as part of the Mayor’s one million Tree program. NYC Parks Department planted 150 trees this and last season. Our mixed-use environment has not been kind to trees: delivery trucks routinely back up and break them repeatedly. The parks department had to replace damaged trees up to three times at the same location. Only those trees protected by heavy-duty tree guards survived. Tree guards are the only way to protect the city’s investment in our neighborhood, and insure that the trees will mature and deliver a healthier environment. Our neighborhood has the third highest rate of asthma hospitalization in Manhattan and mature trees will make a large difference in the health of our community. The geographic area is Hell’s Kitchen, from 34th Street to 43rd Street from 8th Avenue to 10th Avenue. This program will serve approximately 20,000 residents today. This population is rapidly growing with five residential buildings in construction on these blocks, all including affordable housing. The program will also serve the following populations: Commuters who travel on 9th Avenue to reach the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Javits Center visitors who use these street blocks to reach the subway; students of the Baryshnikov Dance center on 37th Street; visitors to the Hell’s Kitchen Antique Fair which takes place every week-end on 39th Street. Tourists who will reside in the six hotels nearing construction on these blocks.
