Shade Trees Will Bring Relief to Playground

Cool shade will come to a “heat island” in San Fernando today.

In the summer, the blacktop playground at San Fernando Elementary School radiates air that is so hot you can actually see it.

But teacher Carli Simons said a half-dozen new cork oak trees to be planted in the playground today should provide lasting relief.

The school sponsored a fund-raising drive, selling ice cream after school to pay for the trees. They raised about $600--enough to purchase six saplings and pay a contractor to punch holes through the asphalt surface of the playground.

“There’s practically no shade around the playground,” Simons said. “It’s a heat island in the summer.”

Some of the school’s 1,000 students will dig holes for the trees, and different classes will each adopt a tree. Maintenance will entail watering every two to three weeks.

One of the trees will be dedicated to the memory of Ruben Hernandez, a fifth-grader who died last school year of severe asthma, Simons said.

Teachers have invited parents and community members to help plant the trees and spruce up other parts of the school.

“We’re also going to plant flowers and plants, do some weeding, general maintenance and cleanup,” Simons said.

“We’re trying to get our school community involved and interested, and we’re encouraging families to come out.”

The school is located at 1130 Mott St. Work begins this morning at 8:30 and continues until noon.