Council Set To Vote On Freedom Trees

The City Council is set to vote today on a resolution calling for the planting of Freedom Trees in memory of the September 11 victimsan idea proposed by The Queens Courier last spring.
At a hearing last Wednesday, the Councils Parks Committee voted unanimously to pass the resolution, setting the stage for a vote by the full Council to support the planting of memorial trees throughout the city.
The Freedom Trees are a revival of the historic Liberty Trees, which the early American patriots planted across the colonies as a symbol of freedom from British tyranny.
On June 5, editors of this newspaper joined members of Queens Council delegation to announce the introduction of the Freedom Trees resolution, intended to serve as a catalyst to the planting of a living, patriotic memorial.
Testifying at the resolutions hearing last week was Victoria Schneps, publisher of The Queens Courier, on the need for the trees to be located in neighborhoods where victims livedand not just in a central memorial site.
The first official planting, a grove of trees with a plaque, is set for early November in Brooklyns Sunset Park, to be paid for with money from a $150,000 federal grant.
Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), chairman of the Parks Committee, would have liked to see the first trees planted in Queens, where the idea originated.
"Now is the time to consider a spot in Queens," said Addabbo, promising to relay community suggestions directly to Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe.
Liam Kavanagh, deputy commissioner of operations for the Parks Department, testified in front of the Council on various plans to plant trees in park groves, traffic medians, on streets and in front of firehouses and police precincts.
If a street tree is planted for every person who was lost on September 11, nearly 200 Queens residents will be honored with a planting in their memory.
So far, the type of tree and exact configuration of the plantings is yet to be determined, as different tree species thrive better in different areas.
Key to the idea of Freedom Trees is that they be easily visible throughout the boroughs and distinctly recognizable. "We definitely want it to be identifiable as a Freedom Tree, so that when someone sees it, they know its a Freedom Tree," said Addabbo.
With Mayor Bloombergs signature expected, the next step is to set up a foundation to which private citizens can donate.
"We want to make sure that if somebody gives a check, it goes to the Freedom Trees, not just a general nonprofit organization," said Addabbo. "The best way to do that is to dedicate a specific nonprofit group for Freedom Trees."
Prince Albert of Monaco held a celebrity golf tournament and auction last month that raised $700,000 for the Twin Towers Fund and for memorial tree plantings in New York City, but the Parks Department would not comment on whether that money would be used for Freedom Trees.
Addabbo promised to work on setting up a foundation. "Here is the time for community involvement," he said.