LYNN — Three tulip trees were planted in front of Ingalls Elementary School Thursday morning in honor of Arbor Day.
The new trees are part of a nearly two-year project aimed at refurbishing the front of the Lynn school.
“Our hope is that the trees start to deliver some gorgeous shade. It’s a perfect opportunity for students to be outside,” said Principal Irene Cowdell. “Just the offering of shade and comfort and a sense of calmness, I think, is really adding to the school and the students.”
Cowdell said the students will be able to participate in reading groups and take mask breaks out near the new trees. Before the project started, the front of the school was surrounded by dirt, dead bushes, a large boiler and a broken flag pole.
Cowdell spearheaded the initiative in partnership with Councilor-at-Large Brian Field, the two working together with Forgione Landscaping, EZ Landscaping, the Lynn Department of Public Works (DPW), state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), the city’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD), and the City of Lynn.
“I was proud to help establish public-private partnerships in the community,” said Field.
Students at Ingalls assisted the DPW and DCR with planting the trees on Thursday. First-grader Rossie F., second-grader Aisha L., and fourth-grader Daniel L. smiled through the rain, saying that they were excited to plant the trees and watch them grow.
“I’ve planted a tree before, but this is cool to do one at my school,” said Rossie. (The Ingalls principal requested that students only be identified by their first name and an initial for their last name.)
Daniel said he hopes he can see the trees grow “big and strong” before he moves on to middle school.
A group of kindergarteners also took turns watching their classmates plant the trees through the windows, adjacent to the front lawn.
“It is a celebration of planting and nurturing of friendships that have come to life around this project,” Cowdell said. “It is through this cooperative project that we bring life and roots to this school community.”
She said over the last few days, the students have been so excited seeing the new dirt brought in and the landscaping trucks working on the area.
In September 2019, Forgione Landscaping, a Lynn-based company that is located near Ingalls, inspected the area upon Field’s request to refurbish the school’s appearance, but said a “green” area could not be established without irrigation.
Irrigation was later approved and installed by the city, which allowed Forgione to volunteer a crew to provide landscaping services.
In the winter of 2021, the city received federal grant funding through coronavirus relief legislation that was used to remove the underground boiler in the area where Forgione and the city had already done work. EZ Landscaping was contracted by the city to repair the sprinkler lines and the “green” area after the boiler was removed.
This process eventually led to the city and DCR purchasing and planting the trees for Thursday’s celebration. The city also completed additional work to improve the entrance at Ingalls that included a berm along the walkway, repainting of the school’s foundation and painting the flagpole.
“I think what I’ve learned from this is that it was an incredible partnership. It just goes to show the community spirit that is still alive,” said Cowdell. “The trees change the face of the school.”
Cowdell said the school community is so grateful and that the project has been an amazing gift to the school.
“We’ll see the fruits of our labor when the trees really start to bloom,” she said. “It’s about the students and the school community. The rain today was the first watering of this celebration.”
Allysha Dunnigan can be reached at [email protected]
