PHOTOS: Officials Mark Start of the Planting of 370 Trees along Post Road in Greenwich

Earlier this week Greenwich Planning & Zoning Dept announced the town’s plans to move ahead with its vision of a tree-lined boulevard along the entire stretch of Route 1, from the New York state line to Stamford.

On Friday officials gathered in front of 600 E Putnam Ave to commemorate the occasion with both golden shovels and a giant pair of scissors for a ribbon cutting.

Steve Meskers, Margarita Alban, Janet Stone McGuigan, Livvy Floren and Hector Arzeno at the event marking plans to plant 370 trees along Rte 1 in Greenwich from the New York state line to Stamford. Nov 1, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Livvy Floren, Susie Baker, Francia Alvarez and Cheryl Dunson at the event marking plans to plant 370 trees along Rte 1 in Greenwich from the New York state line to Stamford. Nov 1, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

The project was years in the making and was finalized last week when the CT Dept of Transportation approved an encroachment permit.

Greenwich town planner Patrick LaRow described the process as a lengthy and rewarding journey.

“The Post Toad is our major east-west thoroughfare and both our gateway and introduction to town,” he said.

Pointing to newly planted trees in front of 600 E Putnam Ave, LaRow said, “This is just our first step.”

LaRow thanked the Greenwich Tree Conservancy for funding the trees and C Lorenti Landscaping for planting them. He also thanked The Greenscape Committee – specifically Richard Hein, John Conte, Nick Macri, JoAnn Messina and Dr. Greg Kramer. Additionally, he thanked Conservation Resource Manager Sarah Coccaro, Jackie Pruitt, Bianca Dygert, and Dan Clark in P&Z, as well as P&Z commission chair Margarita Alban, assistant town attorney Aamina Ahmad, town risk manager Megan Damato, RTM moderator Alexis Voulgaris, and from DPW Jim Michel and Michael Kiselak, and the DOT who approved the work.

Members of the Greenwich Tree Conservancy were on hand including past executive director JoAnn Messina, board president Urling Searle, Cheryl Dunson and current director Kate Dzikiewicz.

GTC members said they were honored to gift the trees as well as their planting to the Town for the important project.

“The GTC is most grateful to all of our supporters whose generosity makes this possible,” the GTC said in a statement. “This is a successful public-private partnership that will add beauty and many benefits to all who travel along Route 1 in the years ahead.”

Fred Camillo said the project had actually been in the works for almost 5 years.

“Any time you’re dealing with different levels of government, it takes a little bit longer,” he said. “But this is something we’re very proud of. This is something we’re very proud of. When you get off the highway, one of the first roads you’re on is the Post Road. We want this to be a very welcoming beautiful site.”

See also:

In Greenwich, Tree Lined Gateway to New England Takes Root

Former Greenwich Tree Conservancy executive director JoAnn Messina, Greenwich Town Planner Patrick LaRow and Landscape Architect John Conte who serves on the town’s Architectural Review Committee. Nov 1, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Susie Baker, State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151)  and Nancy Fantin at the event marking the planting of 370 trees along Rte 1 in Greenwich. Nov 1, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

First Selectman Fred Camillo cuts a ribbon at the event marking the planting of 370 trees along Rte 1 in Greenwich. Nov 1, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

P&Z commissioner Peter Lowe, P&Z planner Jackie Pruitt, P&Z commission chair Margarita Alban and P&Z commissioner Arn Welles at the event marking the planting of 370 trees along Rte 1 in Greenwich. Nov 1, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Town tree warden Dr. Greg Kramer, tree operations manager Joe Kay, former GTC executive director JoAnn Messina and P&Z planner Jackie Pruitt with shovels at the event marking the planting of 370 trees along Rte 1 in Greenwich. Nov 1, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Tree Conservancy board president Urling Searle, Cheryl Dunson and current director Kate Dzikiewicz at the event marking the planting of 370 trees along Rte 1 in Greenwich. Nov 1, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Green & Clean director Kanako MacLennan, Greenwich tree warden Dr. Greg Kramer and Andrea Blume. Nov 1, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager