In December 2018, Downtown On the Go partnered with the City of Tacoma to activate Tollefson Plaza.
Part of this activation was adding greenery with Fir and Spruce trees from Watson’s Greenhouse. Trees and green space are important for public space because green space provides recreational area for residents and helps to enhance the beauty and environmental quality of neighborhoods. In the case of Tollefson Plaza, the trees helped to fill in the vacant space making it more inviting and safer.
Pierce Conservation District accepted our donation of 25 trees and found them good homes throughout Pierce County.
The two projects the trees will support are the Deer Creek Floodplain Restoration Project and the Silver Creek Restoration project.
Deer Creek
In preparation for the City’s project PCD is restoring the floodplain upstream of this fish barrier so when the barrier is removed the fish habitat will be improved. Currently the site is covered with invasive reed canary grass and blackberry. Crews have cut down the blackberry and will be installing 4,000 fast-growing willows in late January. The Spruce trees will be installed here.
Silver Creek
Ongoing restoration activities along the Silver Creek corridor, overseen by PCD. The Doug Fir trees will be installed here by PCD Habitat Stewards.
Our Tollefson trees will help make an immediate impact once planted. We are happy to have a great partner in Pierce Conservation District and to find ways that help improve our both urban and more rural environments.