Phase II of Greening-Up Skyline High School’s Section of Greenway Complete

The Front Royal community can now enjoy 30 newly planted native trees along the greenway in front of Skyline High School. With spring in full bloom, it’s the perfect time for a walk or run while admiring the hard work of local volunteers.

Front Royal’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) recently completed Phase II of a multi-phase plan to enhance the Royal Shenandoah Greenway. This project focuses on “greening up” unused mowed spaces to create a more enjoyable recreational experience. Recognizing the high recreational use of the Eastham Park to Skyline High School to West Criser Road loop, ACES has worked tirelessly to convert open spaces into native canopies in front of Skyline High School.

Each year, ACES includes a student member who leads a project, and this year, Skyline High senior Christina Keresztesi oversaw the planting of 30 native trees, including Sycamores, Maples, and Redbuds. Christina managed the project from tree selection to volunteer recruitment and secured funding from the Front Royal Tree Stewards and the Beautification of Front Royal Committee. She organized everything precisely, ensuring the trees were planted under perfect weather conditions.

Christina Keresztesi, ACES’ student rep, works with staff from Casey Trees (out of Berryville) to carefully offload the new native trees.

Christina Keresztesi, ACES’ student rep, stands proud alongside some of her 30 new trees.

Christina, who will soon attend UVA, acknowledged how her ACES experience helped her get accepted into college: “Participating in community service projects and leading my own really helped me get accepted.”

These new trees offer much-needed shade for walkers and runners during the hotter months while making the greenway more beautiful for everyone. As volunteers planted the trees, passersby admired their work, offering congratulations and snapping photos.

Town Arborist and ACES Chair Jim Osborn demonstrates the importance of planting large native trees.

Dave Rushton, a local community volunteer, takes a moment to prep the hole, a critical part of the process to ensure that the new trees are set up for success.

The project wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the Front Royal Tree Stewards, the Beautification of Front Royal Committee, the Department of Public Works, and dedicated volunteers. ACES is proud to contribute to Front Royal’s commitment to its Tree City USA designation and to create safe outdoor opportunities for the community. To learn more about ACES, visit their website or attend a monthly meeting held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the back of Vibrissa.

These are big, heavy trees! Father and son work together to position a new tree in the ground properly.

30 new native trees take root along the Royal Shenandoah Greenway thanks to a lot of local volunteer sweat equity!

ACES member Justin Proctor gets some help removing wet, sticky clay from his boots.

Christina Keresztesi, ACES’ student rep, smiles alongside her colleagues after successfully completing her tree planting project.