PELHAM MANOR, NY (May 18, 2026) — On May 2, the Village of Pelham Manor, with the help of EcoPel volunteers, completed shrub plantings at the I-95N turf area as part of an initiative to enhance public spaces. The project involved planting Virginia rose, black chokeberry, red twig dogwood, and shining sumac across a 10,000-square-foot area.
The Department of Public Works facilitated the process by pre-digging 400 holes, allowing over 35 volunteers to efficiently carry out the planting. These efforts aim to transform a low-value lawn into a landscape that reduces maintenance, supports wildlife, decreases runoff, and improves water quality.
Mayor Jennifer Monachino Lapey expressed pride in the ongoing collaboration, which began in 2021 and has seen nearly 1,000 seedlings planted across three-quarters of an acre. The shrubland will serve as a naturalized backdrop to the highway barrier, enhancing aesthetics and noise buffering.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
Have information about this story? Email robertcox@talkofthesound (preferred) or contact via WhatsApp: +353 089 972 0669.