When the Occupy New Haven camp closed last week and city officials reviewed the site, the city estimated it would cost $25,000 to clean the Upper Green.
Now, because of donated material and equipment, the cost to the city will be about $4,000, according to the New Haven Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees.
The Proprietors of the Green, who are in charge of the Central Green, have contributed $8,000 toward preserving the trees, including air-spading and fertilizing the site.
Turf Products Corporation, of Enfield, loaned the city a specialized machine that helps to break-up compacted top-surface soil to prepare the site for reseeding.
New England Golf Corporation, which manages New Haven’s Alling Memorial Golf Course, contributed irrigation equipment.
City officials said the Upper Green sustained significant damage during the six-month Occupy New Haven encampment and will need to be roped off for approximately two months.
The remaining cost of $4,000 is for lime, signage, seeds, fertilizer and hydromulch.
The Parks Department and Proprietors are working with the newly formed Friends of the New Haven Green on ongoing maintenance and anyone interested in joining the group should contact Christy Hass at the New Haven Parks Department at 203-946-8002.
The Occupy New Haven encampment last week offered to help clean up the green for free, but city officials said professional experience was necessary to restore the public space.
