ERNC Grants Funds to Dahlia Heights Elementary to Plant Trees Along Colorado Blvd.

The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council voted on Tuesday to grant $1,300 to Dahlia Heights Elementary School for a tree-planting program that will bring 20 trees to Colorado Boulevard in front of the school. 

Dahlia Heights Principal Rona Greenstadt spoke before the council to ask for the funds. 

"We are the only Eagle Rock area elementary school who lost their Title 1 funding. Discretionary funding went from $140,000 to $18,000. Your support of our school means a lot to us and makes a difference," Greenstadt said. "We’ve been working on beautifying and improving the inside of our school, and we would like to create an inviting outside area along Colorado as well as along Floristan [Avenue],  which you can see from Colorado."

The grant was less than the $1,967 the school asked for, as it was seeking additional funding for more landscaping and trees along Floristan. The $1,300 would cover the cost of the trees along Colorado but not the additional work on Floristan. The $1,300 was recommended by the Budget and Finance Committee after considering all factors, said Council Treasurer Ashley Atkinson.

Greenstadt said the funds for the trees on Colorado was simply to cover the cost of the trees and additional supplies, but that the labor would performed by parent volunteers. Greenstadt also said aside from beautifying Colorado and the school, the trees would help block an out-of-control car.  

"Since I’ve been principal the last seven years, we’ve had at least four cars either jump the sidewalk or bang into an area, so again, it would stop a car from moving," Greenstadt said. 

In June, a car crashed into the sidewalk across the street from Dahlia just as school was letting out.  

The funds were approved by a unanimous vote with two abstensions from David Greene and Greg Luke, who left the room during the discussions because they have children who attend the school.