JEFFERSON PARK : 100 Trees to Give Lift to Jefferson Blvd.

The Jefferson Park Improvement Project, a community beautification program, will plant trees on Jefferson Boulevard between Crenshaw Boulevard and Western Avenue on Saturday starting at 8 a.m.

“This is a dream come to fruition,” said Brenda Robinson, a member of the Jefferson Park Steering Committee, which is sponsoring the event. “After the civil unrest, we really were looking to involve the community in something that would give them pride.”

About 500 community volunteers and Marine reservists will plant 100 golden rain trees, most of which were donated by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. “There’s been a lack of greenery around here for a long time,” said Gus Harris, a committee member and business owner. “This will help beautify it, clean it up.”

Jefferson Park, a neighborhood in the Crenshaw district, is bounded by Crenshaw Boulevard on the west, Western Avenue on the east, Adams Boulevard on the north and Exposition Boulevard on the south. The Steering Committee was founded six years ago by the Rev. Dumas Harshaw of Trinity Baptist Church to unite churches, businesses and residents in beautification and improvement efforts.

The tree-planting project is a joint effort devised by Harshaw, the Rev. Oliver Brown of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Father Jerome Schmit of the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church.

Harris said the new trees will help beautify the community in time for the Jefferson Park parade and rally in January. “This is very timely,” he said.

Information: (213) 734-0722 or 735-0044.