The City of Tacoma is inviting residents to take part in a one-of-a-kind experience to rip out blacktop and plant trees and native plants at the intersection of Division and Sprague avenues. The work will beautify the intersection and filter polluted rainwater runoff to compliment the City rain garden being installed on Sprague Avenue.

Depaving will take place on Sun., March 16 from noon to 3 p.m. and planting will occur one week later, on Sun., March 23, from noon to 2:30 p.m. Volunteers of all ages are welcome and all tools, safety gear and refreshments will be provided. The event will take place rain or shine. To volunteer, gather under the shade tents along 6th Avenue next to Mt. Tahoma Seventh Day Adventist Church at noon. Volunteers must wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.

The depaving and planting is made possible through a partnership between Depave, River Network, Stewardship Partners, Russell Family Foundation, Pierce Conservation District, and City of Tacoma Environmental Services.

“It’s exciting,” said Tacoma City Councilmember Ryan Mello, who will be attending the event. “It’s innovative. We’re inviting people to play a hands-on role in protecting waterways and Puget Sound. They’ll probably have fun and learn too; about plants and trees that naturally do so much to protect us.”