A crowdfunder campaign has been launched in a bid to buy and plant five cherry trees around the Dane Park fountain in Margate.
Resident Stephanie Nsom is hoping to bring in the £1,250 needed to buy the trees as a step towards reviving the fountain area.
The mum-of-two said: “I am a local resident and live very close to Dane Park in Margate with my two daughters and husband. Like many other local residents, we use the park frequently. We really love Dane Park and believe that it is one of the beautiful landmarks in Margate that urgently needs some collective love and care.
“I have always been fascinated by nature and especially by how trees can help the environment and improve the appearance of our streets and parks. Over time, I have come to realise that planting a tree is one of the simplest yet profoundly positive acts each of us can do. “
Stephanie, who works for World Bank on renewable energy projects in Africa and Haiti, has previously raised money for 19 trees which were planted in London as part of a community project.
The 37-year-old also ran a petition for streetscape improvements and built the first street library in front of her former home in Hither Green.
The cherry tree project will be run with help from the Dane Valley Woods group, which is developing a community woodland. They will loan tools and other equipment, assist with the process of accessing external grant funding, and working to raise overall awareness of the project.
Thanet District Council has approved the planting the trees and there are further plans for TDC to provide benches to place near the fountain.
The funds will cover the purchase of 5 cherry trees, tree guards, tree labels, planting kits and expenses related to the maintenance and care of the newly planted trees over the first two years.
The plan is to raise the money through the crowdfunding campaign and possibly through county councillor support.
The proposal is being backed by groups including Margate Civic Society, Friends of Ellington Park, Dane Valley Councillors, Arts Education Exchange, Bring back Dane Park fountain (Facebook group) and Trees for Cliftonville and Margate (Facebook group)/Thanet Trees.
Stephanie said: “If we raise more funds than targeted, we plan to either carve tree stumps into animal figures in Dane Park or purchase more cherry trees.”
The aim is to plant the trees this November.
To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cherrytreesdanepark