When nearby residents decided that Azule Park could use a few more trees, they took matters into their own hands. The 4.3-acre park at 12277 Goleta Ave. is adjacent to the Blue Hills School and to private residences. It had been the site of an aging orchard until about three years ago when it was developed by the city, with active participation and input from neighbors.

"We saved some of the old trees that were growing there but some of the new trees are still small," neighbor Katy Alexander said. "During the day, some of the playground equipment gets too hot for the children to use. We wanted to get some shade for the kids. Since the city doesn't have much money, we thought we would take up a collection ourselves."

The Greenbriar Homeowners and Taxpayers Association, which represents the neighborhood near Azule Park, raised $1,575.

Sally Johnson, the president of the homeowners group, said the neighborhood is a tightly knit one. Of the 176 homes in the neighborhood, 165 belong to the association. It has an annual spring social and prints a newsletter four times a year. "We know each other and take care of each other," Johnson said.

"We put a blurb in our newsletter asking for money for trees," she said. About 17 people donated.

Neighbors Bob and Carol Luetz then coordinated with the city's maintenance supervisor, Kevin Meek.

"They are taking an active interest, which is nice," Meek said. "We discussed what trees we had used before and what trees we thought would be successful."

Meek said that a lot of consideration is needed before new trees can be planted. An arborist must be consulted, the right tree has to be chosen for the right spot, irrigation has to be considered and the impact of new trees on existing vegetation must be determined.

The $1,575 raised by the homeowners association purchased three sycamores, three ash and two redwoods.

"They paid for the trees," Meek said. "The parks department is planting them."

Four were planted a week before Thanksgiving. The remaining four will be planted as soon as weather and staff schedules permit, Meek said.

"We're a city that gets input from the people who pay taxes," he said. "It's not always feasible to do what everybody wants, but in this case we came to an agreement to do what was good. It was a pretty smooth process."

The trees range from 10 to 15 feet in height, so it will still be a few more years before they will provide shade for the park's playground equipment.

Alexander said that vines were also purchased to cover the sound wall that borders Highway 85. The vines will probably be put in sometime next month, she said.

"A lot of people in the neighborhood, and out of the neighborhood, use the park, and we wanted to do something to improve it," Alexander said. "We're really grateful for the city's cooperation."