(The following story by Larry Higgs appeared on the Asbury Park Press website on December 23.)
RED BANK, N.J. — A new tree grows at the train station.
A 20-foot-high blue spruce was planted at the NJ Transit station on Monmouth Street and has been decorated for the holidays.
The planting and decoration represent a joint effort between the RiverCenter business alliance, NJ Transit and the borough to plant a tree in an area of the borough’s west side, where there are few trees.
RiverCenter purchased and planted the spruce with the help of Borough Shade Tree Director Mike Olimpi and the Department of Public Works, which cleaned out the plant bed alongside the flagpoles, where the new tree was planted.
RiverCenter commissioned Powerhouse Signworks to string the tree with lights to bring holiday cheer to commuters, residents and shoppers.
RiverCenter Director Nancy Adams thanked Tom Clark of NJ Transit for help with the permitting process and thanked Mike Olimpi and Jim Bruno of Powerhouse Signs for coordinating the planting and decoration.
Red Bank RiverCenter is a nonprofit alliance of businesses, property owners and residents working toward the economic vitality of the business district in Red Bank.