Volunteers gathered near the University of South Alabama Medical Center campus Saturday to help plant 125 trees on Mobile
Street between Springhill Avenue and the USA Medical Center.The tree planting was in partnership with Keep Mobile Beautiful and is part of the beautification effort organized by Mobile City Councilman Fred Richardson and the USA Health System.
Bob Haskins, coordinator of Keep Mobile Beautiful, said that 73 volunteers from the community helped plant the 120 crepe myrtle trees.
"The tree planting was a huge success because of the variety of volunteers," he said. "We received enthusiastic support from the USA Medical Center, people in the neighborhood, students from LeFlore High School and other volunteers from the area."
According to Haskins, the trees were provided with funds from the Keep Mobile Beautiful Living Legacy program and a grant from the Hearin-Chandler Foundation.
"We greatly appreciate the input and support from the University and are thanksful for the cheerful volunteers who helped plant the trees," he said. "It was a beautiful morning, and everyone came ready to work."
The planting was supported by the City of Mobile Parks Department, which provided transportation, delivery and the drilling of the 120 holes for the trees.
Elmer Sellers, assistant hospital administrator at the USA Medical Center, said more than 20 hospital and administration staff participated in the tree planting.
"We are excited to see Mobile Street being improved," he said. "After the street was widened to three lanes, we reached out to the City of Mobile to see if we could collaborate to beautify and maintain the route to the hospital from Springhill Avenue."
Sellers said future plans include adding decorative street lighting and remodeling the USA Medical Center sign to help identify the route to the hospital.
"We have several ideas to help improve the area's appearance," he said. "There's a lot to be done, and we will continue to cooperate with the City of Mobile to beautify this area."
To view more photos from the event - taken by Elmer Sellers - click here.
