Initiative Seeks to Transform Section of Washington Street with Major Spring Planting Initiative
GLOUCESTER, MA — In celebration of Earth Day 2026, the 100TreesProject today announced the planting of 35 new trees this spring, bringing the 100TreesProject’s Gloucester effort to 110 trees across 7 locations over the last 5 years. The planting this spring will expand Gloucester’s urban tree canopy, combat rising urban temperatures and improve local air quality in downtown Gloucester. Beginning in April, thirty-five Swamp Oaks, London Planes and Red Maples will be planted along the heavily paved corridor of Washington Street across from Addison Gilbert Hospital, Gloucester Housing Authority (GHA) Main Office on Washington Street, and John Sheedy Apartments on Pleasant Street.
“Planting a tree is an investment in the next century of Gloucester’s health,” said Mayor Paul Lundberg. “By transforming this gray sidewalk into a green corridor, we aren’t just beautifying the street, we are providing literal relief to patients, healthcare workers, and residents in an area that needs it most.”
The first phase of this spring’s initiative, Restoring the “Green Lung” of Washington Street, will kick off on April 18, 2026 across from Addison Gilbert Hospital. Cutting Edge Landscaping will professionally plant 25 large shade trees along the sidewalk. This specific stretch of Washington Street has been identified by the MAPC and DCR as a “heat island” and an Environmental Justice neighborhood — an area where a lack of vegetation and high concentration of pavement creates dangerously high localized temperatures.
The second phase, Community Roots, will focus on community-driven greening, with 12 trees being planted by residents and Gloucester High School (GHS) student volunteers at two GHA sites. On April 25, 6 trees will be planted at the GHA Main Office. On May 2, 6 trees will be planted at John Sheedy Housing. The 100TreesProject volunteer days serve as a cornerstone of the 100TreesProject mission: engaging residents and GHS students in the stewardship of their own neighborhoods. Larry Maver, a Gloucester resident and business owner who volunteered with the 100TreesProject for 2 summers of tree plantings said, “Volunteering with 100TreesProject has been a great way for me to spend time outside, meet new people in the community, and later be able to go by a tree and see its impact on its surroundings and say, I planted that.”
“This ambitious spring season of 25 tree plantings along Washington Street is being made possible through a strong collaboration between 100TreesProject and the Gloucester’s Department of Public Works,” stated Mike Hale, Director of Public Works for the City of Gloucester. “Over the past five years, 100TreesProject has been a vital partner, bringing trees to numerous high-impact parks and Gloucester Housing Authority locations. I look forward to continuing this important work together.”
Major funding was provided through a grant from the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF), with continuing critical support from the Institute for Savings, Awesome Gloucester, Neptunes Harvest, Gloucester Rotary, Corliss Bro. and individual donors. To ensure the survival of the new canopy, Cutting Edge Landscaping has committed to a professional watering contract for the duration of the 2026 growing season. “We strongly believe in the power of partnerships and encourage local businesses, nonprofits, philanthropies and residents who want to collaborate or volunteer with 100TreesProject on future initiatives to reach out to us,” said David Rosen, Director of 100TreesProject.
About the 100TreesProject
The 100TreesProject was founded by James Paradis and Prataap Patrose, who got married in 2019 and decided to plant 100 trees in 5 years instead of hosting a party for 100 guests. They have surpassed their initial goal. Though they started with public housing in Boston, 100TreesProject is now a Gloucester-based initiative dedicated to restoring and enhancing the city’s tree canopy. By focusing on native species and high-impact urban areas, 100TreesProject seeks to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure a cooler, greener future for all Gloucester residents. Some of the locations 100TreesProject has planted trees include Seaside Cemetery, Burnham Playground, John Alto Park, Unitarian Universalist churchyard on Pine St, West Gloucester Trinitarian church, and Lincoln Park GHA housing.
If you are interested in opportunities to volunteer or collaborate, please visit the website at www.100TreesProject.org
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