CKAR Hopes To Plant Trees Along Kenilworth Avenue

In order to beautify Kenilworth Avenue and prevent pedestrians from illegally crossing the road, one group hopes to plant trees in the median.

The Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization CDC presented the project to Riverdale Park's town council Monday night.

Bob Jenner, of the CKAR Landscaping Committee, asked to plant 35 crape myrtle bushes in the median along the strip of Kenilworth Avenue south of East West Highway.

The bushes cost about $100 each and although CKAR has the capability to install them, they'd need the town to purchase the plants and possibly maintain them with watering.

Mayor Vernon Archer said that because the town is so close to the end of the fiscal year, it would be better to add this item to the next fiscal year budget, moving the project to the fall.

Councilman David Lingua (Ward 3) said fall would be a good time and Councilwoman Alice Ewen agreed.

Public Works Director Leonard Addison said watering those plants may not be as simple as it seems

"The road is a major thoroughfare," Addison said, "you can’t just drive out and start watering these plants, traffic's going to have to be maintained during these sessions."

Jenner is set to discuss the project in more depth with the mayor so that it can be budgeted for the next fiscal year.