Goleta community members helped plant 100 trees at Stow Grove Park Saturday as part of the city’s long-term improvement plan for the space.

The City of Goleta provided 75 coastal redwood and 25 incense cedar saplings for the occasion, and almost 90 people of all ages showed up for the hands-on effort. 

“This park is one of the most beloved public assets in the City of Goleta, so the opportunity for the community to come out and contribute to the future of this park by planting 100 trees was very exciting,” Parks and Recreation Commissioner Deborah Williams said.

According to the Parks and Open Space Maintenance Supervisor Andy Rex, Edgar Stow planted the first redwood trees in Stow Grove Park in the 1930s.

Drought conditions have claimed many of these original trees over the past 20 years, and the city began an enhancement plan to identify dead trees and replace them.

“This effort started about three years ago with a complete arborist inspection of all these trees, and identified which ones needed to be removed.” Rex said.

“After that, we improved the irrigation system with water efficient sprinklers throughout the grove, and now the tree planting is the final step in the enhancement of this park.”

The tree enhancement is one aspect of the Stow Grove Park Master Plan, which includes new trails and a larger playground.

“We’re very excited about all of the additional enhancements, but it was very important to make sure that the beauty and mentality of the grove was maintained,” Williams said.

“We were very sad when the drought killed so many trees, and to be able to be part of its renewal and to know that some of these trees could live 1,000 years is a gift we’re giving future generations.”