Environment And Beautification
Included in FPNA’s Mission statement is “…to protect and enhance the quality of life.” FPNA believes that goal can only be achieved through continuing beautification and furthering other environmental efforts, such as graffiti removal, pollution and noise control.
Trees are Green
In 2007, FPNA’s board voted to contribute $1,000 to an environmental intervention effort by the Vartan Gregorian School’s Parent Teacher Organization, (PTO). The PTO’s plan to plant 24 trees between the school’s auditorium and Interstate 195 was based on a tree’s ability to reduce automobile carbon emissions, thereby benefiting the students.
Volunteers from the Fox Point Neighborhood Association also turned out on a rainy November weekend to help plant the 24 trees. The new grove provides a shady walkway in the summer for persons approaching the India Point Park Pedestrian Bridge from the east.
Working with the PTO, FPNA took advantage of Trees 2020, the city’s program to plant 40,000 trees in Providence by the year 2020. Individual persons interested in planting a tree in their yard may visit the web site, www.trees2020.org, to view, select and purchase from an extensive selection of large trees at roughly half the retail cost.
Community Garden
The association also supports the Community Garden by providing financial assistance to sponsor their annual fundraising efforts. Founded in 2006, the community garden in Gano Street Park provides a space for urban gardeners to grow flowers and vegetables in the summer. If you are interested in getting a plot or more information, contact foxpoint.garden@gmail.com.
Graffiti Clean Up
FPNA also helps fund organized graffiti clean-ups in the neighborhood. The City of Providence has established a Graffiti Task Force, to assist with clean-ups, but volunteer participation is greatly appreciated. To fill out a graffiti removal request, visit their website, www.providenceri.com/graffiti. What Fox Point really needs is a FPNA Graffiti Task Force like the one formed by the College Hill Neighborhood Association. To learn more about costs of graffiti to a neighborhood and how to form a task force, go to: http://www.graffitihurts.org/
Garbage Removal & Recycling Rules
What will they pick up? New residents often find left-behind items on their sidewalks after garbage day because they don’t yet know the rules on minimum cardboard size, garden waste requirements, or how to properly contain their recycled materials. To learn proper garbage preparation and to report infractions, go to http://providenceri.com/green/index.php. You can also report waste violations by calling 467-7950, extension 561.
When it comes to recycling, Providence residents are getting a failing grade. In 2008, only 10.3 percent of all waste was recycled, meaning revenue sharing and municipal grants from Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation didn’t happen. In past years, the city has received as much as $400,000 for its recycling efforts. (This figure also is market dependent because manufacturing demands influence the price paid for recycled goods.) Providence has set a goal of doubling its recycled waste to 20 percent by the year 2010.
Arbor Day
On or near Arbor Day in April, FPNA plants trees and supports the clean-ups of Vartan Gregorian Elementary School and India Point Park. Each year, FPNA also purchases a tree—either for the elementary school or a neighborhood park. In the past, the association has provided mulch and maintenance assistance to street-tree spaces on Wickenden Street.
Plant a Street Tree
FPNA volunteers, in association with the Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Tree Endowment, have planted over 150 street trees in Fox Point. Board member Maebeth Warner co-ordinates this bi-annual citywide event for our neighborhood. Personnel with the City of Providence Department of Public Works dig the holes and Fox Point residents plant the trees and mulch the spaces.
This bi-annual event not only contributes to the neighborhood’s esthetic beauty; but also controls air pollution and water run off, while moderating high summer temperatures. If you would like more information about having a tree planted on your street, visit Tree Talk, a web site of the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program-- www.pnpp.org. At the site, you can fill out an application to have a street tree planted in front of your house. Usually, their deadlines for spring and fall plantings are late May and late October.
If you would be interested in volunteering to help the further greening of Fox Point, contact askfpna@foxpointprovidence.org.