WORCESTER—This summer, Clark University professors John Rogan and Deborah Martin, along with student researchers from the university’s HERO Program, collaborated with the city to improve environmental conditions in the Main South neighborhood.
The result? The planting of 75 new trees, a move aimed at making the area more attractive and healthier for both students and residents.
The initiative was proposed last November by Joseph Corazzini, Clark’s vice president of Government and Community Affairs, who suggested the university work with the city’s Forestry Division to enhance the tree canopy in Main South. Clark committed $50,000 to the project, while Professor Rogan and his students surveyed the neighborhood to identify optimal locations for the new trees.
In January, Rogan and his team, including students Tanner Honnef ’24, Espi Garschina-Bobrow ’25, and Clio Bate, M.S. ’24, conducted a detailed inspection of the streets surrounding the campus. They focused on areas with high heat and minimal tree cover, such as Hawthorne and Woodland Streets and Park Avenue, recommending the planting of Linden, Sweetgum, Pin Oak, and Honey Locust trees—species known for their resilience and suitability for urban environments.
One critical area identified for tree planting was along Park Avenue near Maywood Street, where a long stretch of concrete sidewalk had previously been devoid of greenery. The addition of trees here is already providing shade, reducing heat, and enhancing the overall walking environment, with more benefits expected as the trees mature.
The project, which aligns with Worcester’s broader “Green Worcester Plan,” is seen as mutually beneficial for both the city and Clark University. Robert Antonelli Jr., assistant commissioner of the Department of Public Works & Parks, expressed the city’s appreciation for the university’s financial commitment and its role in fostering community participation, which is crucial for the survival of newly planted trees.
Clark’s HERO team continues to monitor the health of the new trees, ensuring their successful growth and contribution to the neighborhood’s environment.
News release? Send them to Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
