Mayor Todd Gloria, along with City staff, community volunteers and fourth grade students from Encanto Elementary School, worked together on a tree planting and park beautification project today at Encanto Community Park. As part of the City of San Diego’s Ready, Set, Grow San Diego project, 27 new trees were planted to beautify the area and provide additional shade for park users.  

“This park beautification effort reflects our city’s commitment to environmental equity and climate resilience,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Every tree we plant is an investment in a healthier, more vibrant community for generations to come. By working together, we are building a greener, stronger San Diego for all.” 

Staff from Parks and Recreation Department and Urban Forestry joined volunteers to plant trees and spread mulch at the event. They also removed debris from the park and repainted picnic tables, bleachers and parts of the playground, restoring the area for kids and families to enjoy. 

"Thanks to our City staff and volunteers, we cleaned up the park and painted over graffiti that was on the playground,” said Andy Field, Director of Parks and Recreation Department. “It's our goal to make all neighborhoods more welcoming and ensure every community in San Diego has access to beautiful outdoor spaces.” 

The park’s Teen Center, which was temporarily closed due to staffing impacts earlier this year, is set to reopen in the coming months. In preparation for the reopening, City staff and volunteers cleared tree branches and debris that were surrounding the building. The park’s multi-purpose field is also set to be replaced. 

Ready, Set, Grow San Diego is a project of the City of San Diego’s Urban Forestry Program, which was awarded a $10 million grant from the Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for a five-year tree planting program.   

Encanto is the latest community to receive trees under Ready, Set, Grow San Diego, which has already planted trees in Otay Mesa-Nestor, Bay Terraces, Paradise Hills, Linda Vista and City Heights. Including today’s event, more than 2,200 trees have been planted in these neighborhoods through the project.  

Locations that receive new trees are selected through a combination of census track data and community input. The City’s certified arborists select which trees species to plant from the approved list and the Transportation Department will both water and maintain the trees for the first three years. 

For more information about the City’s Urban Forestry program and planting initiatives, visit sandiego.gov/trees.