LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers will join City Plants in planting 60 trees in Sycamore Grove Park tomorrow (Friday, April 20) with middle schoolers from the Arroyo Seco Museum Science Magnet. Dodger right-hander Josh Fields and Dodger Alumni Billy Ashley and Matt Luke will attend the event, which begins at 12:30 p.m.
"In celebration of Earth Day, we're proud join local students in helping plant 60 trees in recognition of Dodgers' 60 years in Los Angeles," said Naomi Rodriguez, Vice President of External Affairs and Community Relations. "Today's program is a perfect extension of our greening and environmental efforts at Dodger Stadium, as we work to ensure that all Angelinos have access to trees, green spaces and parks."
"LA's parks have lost many trees in the past few years and it is crucial that we replant so we can hand our kids a greener, more sustainable city. We are excited to work with the Dodgers and local 8th graders to make this investment in our community," said Elizabeth Skrzat, Executive Director for City Plants.
  
Sycamore Grove Park, just five miles from Dodger Stadium, is nestled next to the LA River and boasts picnic areas, walking paths, exercise equipment and a historic band shell. Trees will be planted so that they will shade those amenities, making them even more pleasant to use in the decades to come. This project supports the ongoing reforestation efforts of the City to maintain and preserve our parks, which over the past few years have faced canopy decline due to die out and a variety of climate issues.
City Plants received funding for this project through a grant from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) and has partnered closely with the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks throughout the process. 
 
"The LA County Regional Park and Open Space District understands the importance of having a healthy urban tree canopy across Los Angeles County. One of the goals of this project is to plant healthy trees to provide shade to help reduce the heat island effect within eight Los Angeles City parks. The District appreciates the efforts of City Plants, Community Partners, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps on this project," said LaTrina Hancock from the Regional Parks and Open Space District.
 
City Plants and LADWP will also be at Viva Los Dodgers prior to the Dodgers-Nationals game on Earth Day, April 22, signing up LA residents for home delivery of shade trees. Trees shade buildings from the hot sun, making it easier for air conditioning systems to cool homes, and saving energy.
Councilmember Gil Cedillo welcomed the project into the First Council District with enthusiasm: "Thank you City Plants for planting 60 new trees at Sycamore Grove Park, in the First Council District. The home of our Annual Latin Jazz and Music Festival, Sycamore Grove Park has become a meeting place for NELA families to recreate and enjoy our urban environment. This addition of trees will provide enhanced health outcomes for the local community as we improve green spaces in our district." 
WHEN: Tomorrow - Friday, April 20, at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Sycamore Grove Park - 4702 N. Figueroa Street
WHO:   Josh Fields, Dodger pitcher
Billy Ashley, Dodger Alumni
Matt Luke, Dodger Alumni
Naomi Rodriguez, Dodger Vice President, External Affairs & Community Relations
Aura Vasquez, LADWP Commissioner
Heather Repenning, Board of Public Works Commissioner 
Javier Solis, City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
Sylvia Robledo, Office of Councilmember Gil Cedillo
Elizabeth Skrzat, Executive Director, City Plants
VISUALS: Ceremonial planting of the first tree
Middle school students planting trees with Dodgers players and Character
  
About City Plants
City Plants is a non-profit organization partnering with the City of Los Angeles to grow a green and sustainable future for L.A. Through a host of partnerships with City departments and non-profit organizations, City Plants distributes and plants approximately 20,000 trees a year. Our priority is to plant trees where they are most needed and our collective vision is that every neighborhood of L.A. will have equal access to trees and their benefits. Learn more at cityplants.org.