Sen. Merkley helps green the I-205 Multi-Use Path

August 25, 2011 Equity Bike Ride
Verde Executive Director Alan Hipolito explains to Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley his nonprofit's role in caring for new trees along the I-205 Multi-Use Path. (Kris Day)

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley joined Friends of Trees, the Oregon Department of Transportation, Verde, and Portland OIC on August 25 to make the I-205 Multi-Use Path greener. James Mayer’s story in The Oregonian describes Sen. Merkley’s impression of the three-year project to green the path, which is spearheaded by Friends of Trees, ODOT, and Metro.

Following Sen. Merkley’s tour of recent tree plantings along the Multi-Use Path—and his assistance in watering the new trees–more than 100 people attended the second annual Equity Bike Ride through the Lents neighborhood, which included the area that Sen. Merkley visited.

The Equity Bike Ride was organized by the Oregon Department of Transportation and co-sponsored by numerous groups, including Friends of Trees.

Friends of Trees was thrilled to hear Sen. Merkley voice his support for a national tree-planting program. Along with the Alliance for Community Trees and other groups, Friends of Trees has advocated for legislation to designate federal funding for planting trees and shrubs.

Learn more about the I-205 Multi-Use Path plantings on our Green Space Initiative web page.

–TR