ScottsMiracle-Gro helps bring shade to Phoenix, planting 50 new trees at Barrios Unidos Park

PHOENIX - In the Phoenix metropolitan area, extreme temperatures have made it difficult for residents to spend time outdoors. High temperatures, combined with the prevalence of concrete and asphalt amid rapid urban development, have contributed to the creation of urban heat islands.

Urban heat islands are areas that experience higher temperatures than their outlying areas due in part to hardscape materials readily absorbing and radiating the sun’s heat. In Phoenix for example, the area surrounding Sky Harbor International Airport can experience a higher ambient temperature than surrounding areas due to the amount of tarmac. 

As Phoenix residents grapple with the intensifying effects of urban heat islands, there is growing concern in the community. A recent Scotts survey revealed that an overwhelming majority of Phoenix homeowners (97%) are experiencing the heat island effect firsthand.* This urban heat phenomenon, exacerbated by excessive use of concrete and asphalt, has prompted nearly two-thirds (64%) of residents to worry about the long-term impact on their health and well-being.*

ScottsMiracle-Gro, North America's leader in lawn and garden, believes creating and maintaining green spaces can help minimize heat islands and provide additional environmental benefits.

In response to the concerns among residents, the company has joined forces with the city of Phoenix and Project EverGreen, an organization striving to create a cooler, greener and more sustainable Earth, to revitalize Barrios Unidos Park as a thriving natural green space with the planting of 50 new trees.

ScottsMiracle-Gro’s New Green Space Initiative

The partnership kicked off with a community tree-planting event at Barrios Unidos Park, a 14-acre oasis nestled near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, one of the city’s hottest neighborhoods due to the amount of tarmac nearby. Volunteers from ScottsMiracle-Gro and the local community came together to plant 50 oak and elm trees, providing much-needed shade and cooling relief to the neighborhood.

Playground area - Credit: ScottsMiracle-Gro

The additional trees will not only enhance and beautify the park but also help to mitigate the heat island effect and positively impact air quality. Over their lifespan, the trees are expected to produce an estimated 1.25 billion liters of oxygen, enough to sustain 25,000 people.

In addition to environmental benefits, natural green spaces play a vital role in providing recreation, relaxation, and social interaction, helping to foster a sense of community and wellbeing. They can also help improve mental health, increase work productivity, and lead to an overall better quality of life, especially in densely populated urban areas, as reported in the recent "The Truth About Lawns" whitepaper.

The survey by Scotts revealed a similar sentiment among Phoenix homeowners. Nearly three quarters (71%) of surveyed homeowners believe green spaces have a positive impact on health and more than a third (67%) believe they create important spaces for community events.*

"The benefits of green spaces should never be underestimated," Lance Melnichenko, director with ScottsMiracle-Gro, said. "On the environmental front, they can act as a natural way to shed radiant heat from the sun as well as capture carbon dioxide and support groundwater retention. From a health and wellness standpoint, green spaces get people outside, encourage physical activity and create social gathering places. It’s clear that when given a choice between hardscapes and green spaces, living things are better than nonliving things on many levels."

ScottsMiracle-Gro's commitment to bettering the environment and communities through natural green spaces is clear, and their efforts to create a greener, healthier Phoenix are unwavering.

Picnic table area - Credit: ScottsMiracle-Gro 

The tree planting is the first step in bringing more greenery and shade to Barrios Unidos Park. ScottsMiracle-Gro, the city of Phoenix and Project EverGreen intend to continue their work by seeding areas of the park in 2025.

Through continued efforts, the company hopes to educate and inspire others to take action and help combat the effects of climate change.

To learn more about the importance of natural green spaces from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, visit www.scottsmiraclegro.com/lawns-positive.

*The Scotts Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 500 Homeowners in the Phoenix DMA, between September 18th and September 30th, 2024, using an email invitation and an online survey. Data has been weighted.