Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
The Goal :30 Trees Before March 25 + 30 Trees in December
The Plan: Restore Cleveland Park’s Canopy
30 Trees will be planted on March 19th in the West End of the West Side Park, and then 30 More on Saturday, November 27, 2026. Choose your location now on both sides. A final 300 will be planted on the MLK Day of Service in February.
Help Us Grow a Greener, Cooler Cleveland Park
Cleveland Park has lost significant canopy in recent years. This program is about restoring shade, beauty, and livability for today’s neighbors and for future Houstonians.
Each tree planted is an investment in the park’s future.
Tree Donations: Phase 1 Sold Out. Phase II - $250 Donation
Your donation covers:
- City permitting
- Tree selection (approved by HPARD
- Professional planting
- Two full years of required watering
- Program administration by Friends of Cleveland Park
**The true cost of planting and maintaining a tree is significantly higher than $250. which is mostly the water bill expected per tree. Every dollar raised beyond the minimum allows us to install larger, healthier, higher-value trees.
Tribute & Memorial Trees
Trees may be donated:
•In honor of a loved one
•In memory of a person or pet
•As a legacy gift from families, businesses, or organizations
Signature Trees (larger or specialty species):
•Must be on HPARD’s approved list
•Coordinated by Trees For Houston and City Urban Forestry
•Ideal for memorials or major gifts
Or -donate any amount — every contribution helps us plant and care for more trees
A Call to Our Park-Adjacent Businesses
Businesses surrounding Cleveland Park — including the Consulate of India and others — benefit daily from the park: Your clients walk here. They park here. They picnic here. We are asking you to help steward this shared space and invest in a park that reflects the pride of the neighborhood and the city.
Important Dates & Program Details
• Plant Day: To be announced
• In Houston, planting season runs from November to April
Program partners
• Friends of Cleveland Park (local nonprofit advocate)
We expect to continue to source trees from Trees for Houston -
Trees that are dedications or memorials can get a brick for the pet memorial walk or an in-ground marker if desired. Please note that any brick or market placement in front of your tree is subject to theft and could be run over by HPARD Mowers.
You can choose a marker for your tree, a brick for the tribute walk, or a commemorative brick for your own home garden. These are offered at our cost at $30.00
About Friends of Cleveland Park
Friends of Cleveland Park is a Texas nonprofit, organized in 2025, and has been involved in every major improvement to the park over the past six years. To see our work, go to the Our Work Tab under 'ABOUT"
EIN: 33-4286070
501(c)(3) status: 2026
Why This Matters
This effort is about shade, safety, and comfort. Cleveland Park is noticeably hotter today than it was just a few years ago.
If you prefer to donate without a tribute name, please let us know — we would love to honor:
• Our current park grounds crew
• Past park managers and stewards
Special Tribute: Carolee Taylor
A memorial tree honoring Carolee Taylor, a beloved Jackson Hill dog-crew neighbor, is being finalized with her family.
We hope this will be a Signature Tree, possibly accompanied by a pet water station.
Carolee’s vigil was held in the park shortly after her tragic death — a deeply moving moment for all who knew her.
How to Donate
If you can pay by check - please do. It will save us some 2-3 %, which is significant. Every Penny Counts and we are frugal with every penny donated. We will come pick up a check anywhere.
If you would like to pay by card or ACH, no problem.
For Donor Advised Funds, Please Contact us.
Ten percent of every dollar raised goes to the Houston Parks Board and benefits all parks and our quality of life. We are lucky in Houston to have so many dedicated employees at HPB and HPARD.
Questions? Call or text Brian Bottorff: 832-521-1601
⸻
Thank You.
Tree Benefits
Our Park has had a significant loss of canopy the last three years. 52 big trees GONE, including 12 of the 14 Loblolly, the oldest tree in the park, the #6 ranked tree on the prestigious Tree Index, 3 Magnolias, and more. '
FACT: Canopy in the neighborhood dropped 35 % between 2011 and 2021 to an all-time low of under 10% overall.
FACT: Between 2021 and 2025, the Park had major losses due to disease and drought, and storms; 12 of the 14 Loblolly Pines in the park died due to beetles and drought, and 38 additional trees were lost to the weather in 2024. (48 Trees)
FACT: The 52 total trees lost include five of the best providers of shade near the tennis courts and playground.
FACT: We lost the big Southern Catalpa tree -the#5-ranked tree listed on the prestigious Tree Index.
In 2025, an additional 5 trees, including the old Cottonwood dangling over the path, were removed. The trees in the park have received a lot of attention and new mulch rings thanks to our event on April 19.
Environmental Benefits:
Clean Air: Trees absorb pollutants and release oxygen, improving air quality.
Water Filtration: Trees help filter stormwater runoff, preventing pollutants from entering waterways.
Erosion Control: Tree roots help stabilize soil, preventing erosion and landslides.
Wildlife Habitat: Trees provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for a wide variety of animals.
Carbon Sequestration: Trees absorb and store carbon dioxide, helping to combat climate change.
Social and Economic Benefits:
Reduced Stress: Studies show that spending time in nature can reduce stress levels and improve mental well-being.
Increased Property Values: Trees can enhance curb appeal and increase the value of properties.
Energy Savings: Trees can provide shade, reducing the need for air conditioning and saving energy.
Community Building: Trees can create more pleasant and inviting public spaces, fostering social interaction and community development.
Economic Opportunities: The forestry industry provides jobs and supports local economies.
Other Notable Benefits & New Research
Cooling Effect: Trees can lower urban temperatures, reducing the heat island effect.
Noise Reduction: Trees can help absorb noise, creating a quieter and more peaceful environment.
Improved Aesthetics: Trees add beauty and character to landscapes, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of a place
Trees are coming
We are happy to have sold out our Phase One plan for thirty trees. We are grateful for Trees for Houston and were excited when Barry Ward was out to talk about their program.
Trees are what can bring an unengaged neighborhood together. Nine days after Trees for Houston told us they could do 30 Trees for $5K, we had sold out the first 30 trees. Donors were not only from Magnolia Grove, but also West End and Rice Military, and an equal number of homeowners and renters stepped up for our park's future canopy. Thanks you neighbors -we're not moving to phase ii called "PLANT DAY PARTNERS"