Brook Road Neighborhood Park Tree Plantings

The H.E.A.R.T. Water Resources subcommittee in February planted 1,150 native Virginia trees and shrubs in Brook Road Neighborhood Park as part of H.E.A.R.T.’s ongoing reforestation efforts.  

Much of Brook Road Neighborhood Park is in a floodplain and a resource protection area. North Run Stream extends through the property as it meanders through central Henrico County, traverses the Chesapeake Bay watershed and finds its way to the Atlantic Ocean. Reforesting this environmentally sensitive area will have a positive impact on water quality. Trees absorb manmade fertilizers from residential and commercial properties, keeping them out of ground water, helping to reduce erosion and absorbing rainwater from heavy storms. Rainwater that isn’t absorbed can rush across impervious surfaces – such as roads, driveways and rooftops – and lead to flooding. 

Trees improve air quality by creating oxygen, which is a byproduct of photosynthesis. In addition, they help to filter air by absorbing carbon monoxide in a process known as carbon sequestration. 

The reforestation project will increase the tree canopy and biodiversity of the ecosystem. Biodiversity of plants and trees creates a more resilient habitat. Severe drought and disease can have a debilitating effect on single-species landscapes. The increased tree canopy will help to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures in areas with limited tree coverage – known as the heat island effect – by providing shade for people and wildlife. 

Native trees provide wildlife with food, like berries, nuts and leaves. In addition, trees provide materials and locations for nesting, shelter from the elements and safety from predatory species. 

All in all, the reforestation of Brook Road Neighborhood Park will create a more functional and beautiful green space in Henrico.