A local tree advocacy group hopes to add more greenery along one of Mobile’s busiest corridors.
The organization Friends of Mobile Trees has resubmitted a proposal to the city’s Tree Commission that would replant the medians along Airport Boulevard. The plan focuses on the stretch between Providence Drive and Schillinger Road, an area that sees heavy traffic every day.
The proposal was shared publicly by Friends of Mobile Trees president John Robb, who posted the letter to supporters and the wider community online.
The group wants the project discussed at the Tree Commission’s March 17 meeting, where members could consider adding the effort to the city’s upcoming tree planting plans.
Supporters say the idea builds on earlier work already completed along Airport Boulevard and offers a chance to restore greenery along a road that thousands of drivers use daily.
A Second Phase for a Familiar Project
The plan is described as Airport Boulevard Phase 2, continuing earlier efforts to plant trees along the roadway.
That earlier phase demonstrated how planted medians can transform a busy corridor. Trees bring shade, color, and a more welcoming look to the landscape between lanes of traffic.
Friends of Mobile Trees say the next phase would expand that concept across another large section of Airport Boulevard.
Their proposal focuses on medians that currently sit empty or sparsely landscaped. Planting trees would gradually replace those bare stretches with rows of greenery.
The group hopes the earlier project provides a clear blueprint.
According to the proposal, Phase 1 showed the approach works and can be carried out successfully.
Why Airport Boulevard?
Airport Boulevard ranks among the most traveled roads in Mobile. Thousands of vehicles move along the corridor each day, connecting neighborhoods, shopping centers, restaurants, and offices across the western part of the city.
Friends of Mobile Trees pointed to that heavy traffic as one reason the corridor deserves attention.
Their proposal notes that Airport Boulevard carries more traffic than Highway 90, yet the planting project could be completed for a relatively modest cost compared with other initiatives.
The group also highlighted an additional factor: there are currently very few planting projects under review by the Tree Commission.
That creates an opportunity for Airport Boulevard Phase 2 to move forward quickly if the proposal gains approval.
Funding Already Available
Another point raised in the proposal centers on funding.
According to the group, both Friends of Mobile Trees and the Tree Commission already have funds available that could support the project. That financial readiness may help speed the process if the commission agrees to consider the proposal.
The group also referenced another upcoming project: a tree replanting effort in Tillman’s Corner, which already has funding secured through public dollars.
Compared with that project, supporters say the Airport Boulevard plan would require a smaller investment.
For a road that handles such a high volume of daily traffic, they believe the return in visual improvement could be significant.
A Public Effort to Grow Mobile’s Tree Canopy
Friends of Mobile Trees says transparency is central to its work.
The group regularly shares updates with its roughly 1,200 members, posting proposals and plans online so the community can follow the process.
In this case, the full letter submitted to the Tree Commission was posted publicly along with earlier maps and details about the proposal.
President John Robb signed the letter on behalf of the organization’s board and asked commissioners to place the item on the agenda for discussion later this month.
For many residents who travel Airport Boulevard regularly, the idea of greener medians offers a simple but appealing change to the roadway’s appearance.
Tree-lined corridors often bring a sense of balance to busy streets, softening the landscape while adding shade and seasonal color.
The next step will come when the Tree Commission reviews the proposal during its upcoming meeting. If members decide to move forward, the project could bring another stretch of greenery to one of Mobile’s most recognizable roads.
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