Parks Dept. to Canal Street: 'No Trees for You!' - Streetsblog New York City

"Canal Street is one of Manhattan's busiest corridors, but between Varick Street and the Manhattan Bridge, there is virtually no escape from the oppressive heat because there are virtually no trees. And no relief is coming, the Parks Department told Streetsblog. Canal Street is "fully stocked," Nicholas Zito, deputy director of tree planting at the Parks Department, told Streetsblog. The agency has "planted in all feasible locations.""

"The result: 29 new trees were planted in 2024 - eight of the spindly arbors are on the busiest portion of Canal west of Varick. As Carrie Bradshaw might say, and just like that, the Parks Department was done. Between Baxter and Varick street - a nearly half-mile stretch of its central business corridor - there are just seven trees."

Canal Street between Varick Street and the Manhattan Bridge has almost no tree cover, producing oppressive heat for pedestrians and residents. The Parks Department reported that planting opportunities have been exhausted and described Canal Street as "fully stocked," noting that the agency "planted in all feasible locations." The Department of Transportation's upcoming sidewalk and bike upgrades do not include additional trees. In 2024 the Parks Department planted 29 new trees along the corridor, eight west of Varick, leaving a half-mile stretch between Baxter and Varick with only seven trees. Street trees can lower surface temperatures by 20 to 45 degrees and reduce peak summer air temperatures through shading and evapotranspiration.

Read at Streetsblog