Alicia Lindsey

Trees Make Children Safer, Happier and Ready to Learn

Alicia Lindsey remembers what the playground at Mansfield Elementary was like before new trees were planted. "The playground equipment was so hot it could burn the children," she said. The site was essentially off-limits during the initial months of the school year.

"Now, the trees are starting to provide shade," she added.

A 'Making the Shade' grant from the Georgia Forestry Commission provided Alicia, school staff and members of the community with the resources they needed to make the playground safe year-round.

Together, they planted 42 trees on the school grounds, and the City of Mansfield provided a water line to give the young trees a boost in their early life.

Alicia said the trees are also helpful as an educational tool that allows children "to see as many of our native trees as possible and to learn about the benefits of trees."

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