Next summer the Jersey City community will be greener and leafier than ever! On October 3^rd in Arlington Park, a bigger and better version of the “Big Dig” beautification plan was unveiled as ‘Bigger Dig 2020.

In an effort to enhance the parks, streets and public spaces of Jersey City, the initiative aims to plant 2,020 trees citywide by 2020. This plan is based on the Parks Coalition’s 2011 community service event. the “Big Dig”. In the past four years, the “Big Dig” has been responsible for planting 238,000 daffodils and tulips across Jersey City.

The $60,000 partnership between Jersey City and the Parks Coalition was announced on October 3^rd by Mayor Steve Fulop. Joining Fulop at the announcement was Vice President of Jersey City Parks Coalition Mory Thomas, New Jersey City University ‘University Advancement’ Vice President Dan Elwellm, Friends of Arlington Park representative Florence Holmes, and a representative of the Jersey City Environmental Commission.

The first year of the “Bigger Dig 2020” will focus on planting trees in Jersey City parks and open spaces. The Parks Coalition will determine the locations based on a recent Tree Canopy Study commissioned by the Jersey City Environmental Commission and mapping technology provided by NJCU.

Jersey City Parks Coalition is a nonprofit with the mission to “empower residents to develop, renovate use and maintain their Jersey City community parks and public spaces; thereby revitalizing neighborhoods and lifting communal and human spirits.” In the 10 years since coalition was founded in 2005, they’ve raised and invested more than $500,000 into Jersey City parks and public spaces with the help of many generous individuals, corporations and foundations.

We’re looking forward to seeing all of the group’s hard work come to fruition. Dig on!

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