In an innovative attempt to enhance urban living and foster community engagement, Bankers Hill has launched a pilot program called Happy Tree Walks, designed to showcase the neighborhood’s significant trees and encourage locals and tourists alike to appreciate their environment.
The initiative was conceived by Brian Bagnall, the outgoing representative on the Community Forest Advisory Board for District 3, during a board session in February.
Bagnall’s vision gained traction when he presented the idea at a July 21 meeting of the Bankers Hill Community Group, seeking to engage the community in urban forestry.
Developed over the recent months, the Happy Tree Walks offer a diverse exploration of the neighborhood, guiding walkers past historic sites, beloved small businesses, and various trees that have diversified the landscape of Bankers Hill.
Among the highlights are details about century-old houses, the AIDS Memorial in Olive Street Park, and heritage trees that add depth to the tours.
Bagnall believes that promoting a dual focus on happiness and livability will create an enriching experience for both residents and visitors as they navigate urban San Diego from a fresh perspective.
“One of the most important things for all people, particularly living in cities now, is to get out and walk more. It’s the best thing you can do for your health. It’s the best thing you can do for your spirit,” Bagnall noted.
As the project’s primary funder, Bagnall enlisted the help of Emma Smith from Kate Sessions’ Commitment, who has crafted a comprehensive website for participants to follow during the walks, providing detailed directions and photographs.
Smith expressed a desire to raise awareness regarding the maintaining of newly planted trees in Olive Street Park, emphasizing the crucial role of community involvement alongside city efforts.
“These [trees] are part of our community too. I think it’s a powerful story in this park with the AIDS Memorial, because when we do have the people championing a story, things get better,” she said. “I want to see people engage with the trees more.”
Bagnall and Smith ultimately designed four distinct walking routes through the picturesque neighborhood, each showcasing unique aspects of the local flora.
One of the walks starts in Balboa Park West and focuses on the historic trees planted by renowned horticulturist Kate Sessions.
Another tour begins in Olive Street Park, featuring newly-planted trees that require the attention and care of the local community, leading walkers over two canyons connected by historic bridges.
For those seeking a taste of modern urban life, the walk along Fifth Ave. spotlights mixed-use buildings, albeit with fewer trees along the way.
The final route invites participants to revel in the beauty of the jacaranda trees, famous for their floral displays in April and May, accentuating the colorful legacy of the neighborhood.
Importantly, the walks are not exhaustive inventories of every tree in the area; instead, they present a curated path that encourages exploration of various tree species spanning different ages and sizes.
“There are so many treasures we don’t even let you know about. You have to find [them] yourself,” Smith remarked, pointing out that the intentionally limited information available on the website aims to prevent potential overwhelm for participants.
For those looking to gain a deeper understanding, the Seek app by iNaturalist offers a tool for learning more about tree species encountered during the walks.
The core essence of Happy Tree Walks lies not in education but in cultivating an appreciation for how trees enhance the urban environment.
Even amidst the construction noise and bustling traffic of Bankers Hill, the canyons enveloped in trees offer a respite from city life, providing tranquility to nature lovers.
“We didn’t want it to be too techie about trees. You don’t have to be a tree expert,” Bagnall explained, emphasizing the project’s goal to keep the information simple and accessible.
Selecting Bankers Hill for the pilot program was significant due to its rich tree canopy, which in 2014 accounted for 24% of Uptown’s total area, nearly matching the national average of 26%.
In comparison, only 13% of the entire San Diego area was shaded by trees during the same assessment.
In the last decade, Bankers Hill has had ample opportunities for increasing greenery, with new street trees and enhancements to Olive Street Park contributing to the area’s overall tree cover.
Many of these new additions are still establishing themselves, standing in contrast to the grand historic trees found on private properties and in less disturbed canyons throughout Bankers Hill.
“When we go on this walk, we see how grand trees can be, and then to look next door at our street trees and see the difference, it kind of puts it in perspective,” Smith observed.
Particularly noteworthy is the Olive St. + Bridges walk, where participants can enjoy breathtaking views from over the Maple Canyon while crossing San Diego’s oldest bridge, the Quince Street Footbridge built in 1905, and the Spruce Street Suspension Footbridge.
These vantage points allow walkers to immerse themselves within the tree canopy, viewing the surrounding flora and fauna from above.
As the program seeks community insights moving forward, Bagnall and Smith encourage feedback to refine and enhance the experience for future participants.
Happy Tree Walks in Bankers Hill is paving the way for a renewed appreciation of urban forestry, inviting all to take a stroll among the trees and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings.
image source from：timesofsandiego
