NEWSCHANNEL REPORTER PATRICIA MARTELLOTTI SHARES WHAT VISITORS AT A LOCAL PARK CAN EXPECT FROM THIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT. Sound of tree planting CREWS ARE WORKING HARD AT OAK PARK IN SANTA BARBARA. WALTER AGAULT CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SENIOR TREE TRIMMER Right here we have a Texas red oak . it's a new oak species we're introducing to Santa Barbara to diversify our portfolio of drought tolerant plans. NATHAN SLACK CITY OF SANTA BARBARA ARBORIST The urban forestry program launched an initiative to increase tree planting around playgrounds throughout the city to increase shading. ARBORIST NATHAN SLACK SAYS THE INITIATIVE IS PART OF AN EFFORT TO EXPLORE WHAT TREES WILL BE ABLE TO ADAPT TO THE REGION'S CHANGING CLIMATE. Nathan Slack City of Santa Barbara Arborist So far the projects gone great . we surveyed all playgrounds in town ... we found eight in high need of additional shade. PATRICIA MARTELLOTTI The forestry department hopes these trees will live for generations to come. WALTER AGAULT CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SENIOR TREE TRIMMER I think it's exciting . it adds diversity to the landscape . the different colors and textures are pleasing to the eye. THIS NEWLY PLANTED TREES ARE EXPECTED TO HELP KEEP PEOPLE COOL IN THE WARMER MONTHS. NATHAN SLACK CITY OF SANTA BARBARA ARBORIST Even on overcast days UV index can be super high and one of the most susceptible populations of high temperatures and UV index are the children . so it's really critical to try to provide a shading element around these critical resources in the parks. WALTER AGAULT CITY OF SANTA BARBARA SENIOR TREE TRIMMER It's going to be a great start to revitalizing our planting program here. NATHAN SLACK CITY OF SANTA BARBARA ARBORIST There's a wise saying . the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is today. Crews planting trees IN SANTA BARBARA I'M NEWSCHANNEL REPORTER PATRICIA MARTELLOTTI MARTELLOTTI . THE ALWAYS ANTICIPATED SUMMER SEASON FOR PCPA RETURNS TO SOLVANG