Tree planting fundraising program for Mesa Cemetery

August 28, 2019 at 3:48 pm

With several trees lost to recent storm damage, a fundraising campaign is underway to purchase, plant and care for new trees at the Mesa Cemetery. The campaign received a big boost today with a $2000 donation from Maricopa County District 2 Supervisor Steve Chucri, who was raised in Mesa.

"I care deeply about this City and its public spaces," Supervisor Chucri said. "I was saddened to learn of the recent damage to the Mesa Cemetery, but heartened to be part of a larger effort to help restore its grounds with new trees to shelter and shade those who come to pay their respects."

The Mesa Cemetery lost more than 25 mature Italian Cypress and Olive trees during a monsoon storm July 30. The uprooting of the trees resulted in damage to the perimeter fencing, turf and landscape along the Center Street entrance and throughout the Cemetery. More than 70 trees were also lost in a storm in July 2018.

"The Italian Cyprus trees at the Mesa Cemetery are iconic," Mayor John Giles said. "I'd like to thank Supervisor Chucri for his generous donation and encourage others to donate to the campaign through the Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation."

There are two ways to donate to the campaign. You can donate online at www.foundationformesaparks.org, click on the "Donate" tab and select the "Tree Planting Program." You can also send a check to: Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 4121, Mesa, AZ 85210.

"The Mesa Cemetery has been a staple of this community since 1895 and we want to make sure it continues to be for the next 100 years," Vice Mayor Mark Freeman said. "I can't thank Supervisor Chucri enough for this generous donation and for his dedication to helping replace the trees. This will go a long way to ensuring the cemetery is well-equipped for the next century."

For questions related to the Tree Donation Program, contact Aimee Manis at (480) 644-5327 or aimee.manis@mesaaz.gov.


Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov