AROUND TOWN
Let’s shred ‘em!
Annual Mulchfest at Washington Square
gave old Christmas trees new life
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
Say fi r-well to your holiday tree at
NYC Parks!
On the northern end of Washington
Square Park, the stacks of former
Christmas trees piled up. Mulchfest
was in full swing through Jan. 9, a
chance to recycle your holiday tree.
These trees that bring seasonal joy
continue their importance when collected,
chipped and turned into precious
mulch—organic matter spread
around or over plants that enrich or
insulate the soil.
Acting Parks Commissioner Liam
Kavanagh and NYC Department of
Sanitation Commissioner Edward
Grayson, fl anked by local electeds,
gathered at the Washington Square
Park arch to celebrate Mulchfest
2022. They encouraged New Yorkers
to drop off their trees with the motto:
Say fi r-well to your holiday tree at
NYC Parks!
This year, Chipping Weekend was
Jan. 8-9, when New Yorkers could actively
mulch their holiday trees and
bring home a bag of mulch.
Weather permitting, the NYC Department
of Sanitation will be conducting
curbside collections for mulching
and recycling of Christmas trees
through Saturday, Jan. 15.
PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY
State Senator Brad Hoylman tackles a big tree.
Schneps Media January 13, 2022 17