Grow Albany to plant 146 trees at Radium Springs

ALBANY — Ten months after powerful storms uprooted trees, destroyed property and took lives in Albany, a tree planting is scheduled to signify new hope and new life in the community.

In January, two storms hit the Albany area, leaving scenic landscapes in ruin. In response, Grow Albany was established to replant and distribute trees to affected areas. Their efforts will begin in Tift Park and at Radium Springs.

“We have received a ton of calls about starting to raise money to replant the trees we lost,” Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful Director Judy Bowles said. “Instead of several different efforts that could do minor improvements, we thought it would be great to put the full weight and commitment of businesses, residents and volunteers together.”

Organizers say the effort will be ongoing. Through the work of volunteers and partnerships between KADB, Dougherty County and the city of Albany, Grow Albany will plant and distribute more trees at public parks, businesses and homes through a multiyear, multiphase initiative.

“Grow Albany seeks to replant the trees lost during the storms of 2017 that so drastically changed the landscape of our town,” Bowles said.

The event will be held at the Radium Springs overlook, but the 146 trees will be planted in three phases to coincide with the work Dougherty County is doing in the area with road improvements and with the Rails to Trails project.

“We have beautiful majestic oaks that were planted here by our forefathers,” Bowles said. “But we lost so many trees during the storm, and that took away a vital part of our landscape and our history. We want to replace them and start the healing process.

“In less than a year, Albany has not only cleaned up storm-damaged trees, the county has completed this Radium Springs plan. The majority of funding is coming from Synovus/SB&T. The event is centered around families looking to come out with their kids to help plant trees.”

Although the hard digging will have been handled by the county, volunteers are needed to help push dirt and begin the planting process.

A community planting on Nov. 4 will be conducted between 9 a.m. and noon along the ridge at Radium Springs. Bowles offered these suggestions for potential volunteers: Bring gloves or plan to get your hands dirty. Wear clothes you can get dirty. If you have a shovel, it would be helpful. There will only be so many available. Label your shovel.

Sponsors and volunteers are still needed for the project.

Synovus/SB&T was one of the first Grow Albany partners to come on board in January after the initial storm.

“After seeing the devastation left behind by the January storms and the effects these storms had on our community, we knew it was important not only to help restore the community aesthetically, but physically and mentally as well,” the bank’s president, Pam Simmons, said. “By partnering with Grow Albany to host the first community planting day, Synovus/SB&T will help grow both trees and community pride for future generations.”

Other sponsors for the event include Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, The Junior League, Georgia CIO and Sabal Trail Transmissions.

To register as a volunteer or to make a donation, visit the Grow Albany website at www.growalbany.com.

For additional information, contact Bowles at (229) 430-5270 or email her at [email protected] before Oct. 27. Participants who register prior to Oct. 20 will receive a commemorative T-shirt.