Planting Roots for a Greener Future
CENTRAL FALLS, RI – Children at Dr. Day Care got their hands dirty this spring in the best way possible, by planting trees donated by Groundwork Rhode Island. The donation, which included a mix of flowering and shade trees, was part of an effort to promote environmental education and beautify the outdoor play space.
The trees were donated by Groundwork Rhode Island, a local business committed to building healthier, more resilient, and more equitable urban communities in Rhode Island. With the help of volunteers, teachers, and even some eager little gardeners, the trees were planted in the spring and are now thriving.
This project came to fruition after a mini field trip to the Adams Public Library, the Dr. Day Care Central Falls community partner. While the students were reading and enjoying the library, site director Amanda Populus took a moment to check out the community bulletin board. A flyer offering free trees in Central Falls caught her eye. “I thought it sounded too good to be true at first! We had just celebrated our center’s one year anniversary and were looking for ways to enhance our outdoor space,” says Populus. “We were all really excited to partner with Groundwork Rhode Island to get suggestions on trees that would do well around our building and in the playground.”
The selected species were chosen for their beauty, adaptability to city environments, and ability to thrive in the identified spaces. Groundwork Rhode Island coordinated with Dr. Day Care to choose the best tree species for the property. The trees selected were flowering trees for the front of the building, sweetbay magnolia and tulip tree, a river birch for the entrance to the playground, and a larger red maple to offer shade in the playground. A fast-growing tree with bright green leaves, tulip trees can sometimes reach heights over 100 ft! Sweetbay Magnolia is a native tree that will stay quite small in Rhode Island which is the northern end of its range. It has dark green waxy leaves with silvery undersides. Its showy white flowers will transform into bright red fruits in the late summer. River birch is a multi-stemmed tree, native to the northeast. It is a fast-growing shade tree with beautiful white bark. Red maples got their name due to their red buds in spring and bright red leaves in fall. They are the state tree of Rhode Island and most commonly found in and near wetlands but do well in urban conditions.
Since the planting, the trees have already become a daily part of the children’s routine — from outdoor storytime beneath the red maple to science observations of new buds and leaves. The children love taking care of their new trees, taking turns to water the trees each day.
The preschool classroom also has a vegetable garden and everyone has been very involved and curious during the whole process, from seed to sprout to harvest. “They love playing in the dirt! It might look messy but as long as they’re enjoying it, ask questions and let them be involved!” said Mileica Ramos, Lead Preschool Teacher. The students have been keeping a journal to track growth and draw that they see. This also is a fun way to extend learning, as the students make comparisons and connections.
The new greenery enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of the outdoor area, offering shaded spots for summer play and opportunities for hands-on learning about ecology and stewardship.
“We’re so grateful for this donation,” said Amy Vogel, CEO. “Not only do the trees provide shade and beauty, but they’ve given us a way to teach the children about nature, growth, and caring for the environment.”
Parents and staff have already noticed the positive impact. “It’s a small step, but it’s meaningful,” said parent Stephanie Soler, “and it sparks conversations about taking care of the planet.”
Dr. Day Care plans to continue involving children in caring for the trees throughout the year, turning the donation into a lasting educational resource.
About Dr. Day Care Learning Center:
With locations across Rhode Island, Dr. Day Care early learning centers care for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years old in Infant, Toddler, Preschool/Pre-K, and School Age programs. Dr. Day Care sites are licensed by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and are nationally accredited by the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA). Dr. Day Care was founded by Dr. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith, known to most as “Dr. Day Care” as she has her Doctorate degree (Ed.D.). At Dr. Day Care, our mission is to provide family, youth and child services in a safe, structured, and nurturing environment through a team of dedicated professionals. Visit www.drdaycare.com to learn more or to schedule a tour.
About Groundwork Rhode Island:
Tree Planting is a collectively funded program of Groundwork Rhode Island, supported by in-house landscaping venture, GroundCorp, to plant trees in low-canopy areas of Rhode Island. Visit groundworkri.org/tree-planting to learn more. To promote biodiversity and resilience in our urban forest, Groundwork Rhode Island sources and plants as many as 50 species per season. Nursery availability varies year to year and between the fall and spring planting seasons. Native species are prioritized because they do the heavy lifting to support habitat for our non-human neighbors. Plant guides and information is also available. Currently, multiple USDA Forest Service grants collectively fund plantings in parts of Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln, Woonsocket, and East Providence. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.