The city is offering funds for residents to cool their outdoor spaces by replacing hard surfaces with plants. ~Photo courtesy of City of Somerville

The City of Somerville’s Sustainability and Environment Division (SED) is now accepting applications for Cooling East Somerville, offering eligible East Somerville residents up to $5,000 to remove pavement from their property and replace it with shade trees, plants, and other cooling landscape improvements.

“Extreme heat is not just uncomfortable. It’s a real public health risk, and we know that heavily paved areas feel that risk more intensely,” said Mayor Jake Wilson. “This program gives East Somerville residents a practical way to cool their homes and yards, add more greenery, and help make the neighborhood more resilient summer by summer.”

How the Program Works

East Somerville residents with a paved driveway, paved yard, or similar paved area on their property are encouraged to reach out to the city to apply for the program and schedule an initial site visit.

If a property is eligible and conditionally accepted, Green & Open Somerville will work with the resident to remove the pavement. Green and Open Somerville will coordinate volunteers, dumpster permits and fees, and food for volunteers. Residents will then work with City staff to decide what to plant in the new garden area. After planting, residents may receive reimbursement for eligible garden costs, up to $5,000.

Go to voice.somervillema.gov/cooling-east-somerville to learn more and apply. Interested residents can also contact Elyse Belarge at ebelarge@somervillema.gov or 781-823-9332.

About the Cooling East Somerville Project

Paved surfaces like concrete and asphalt can be up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than nearby unpaved, vegetated areas. Removing pavement and adding trees and plants can help provide shade, reduce heat around homes, improve air quality, support birds and pollinators, and create more attractive outdoor space. Through the Cooling East Somerville project, SED is helping residents reduce heat on their properties, create more usable green space, and support a cooler, healthier neighborhood.

Cooling East Somerville is funded by the Barr Foundation and led by Cambridge Health Alliance, CultureHouse, and the City of Somerville. The program uses a multi-tiered approach to address heat risks at the individual, community, and built environment levels so residents can stay safer during summer heat.