In your travels around the city, you might notice some artsy banners of trees. There will soon be 250 of them, hanging from Patterson Park to Leakin Park and everywhere in between.

The banners are part of the Baltimore Urban Forest Project, which is working with the city and a local company called Tilt Studio to promote trees and increase the tree canopy in the city. It also is trying to get people out into the Baltimore parks, some of which are under-utilized.

City workers are hanging the banners on city time, but all other costs for the project are being covered, said Matt Roberts, who works for a "green marketing and branding firm" that is helping to promote the event. (Note to Matt's bosses: this guy is persistent. He would have made a good reporter.)

Things kicked off a week ago with the first banner in Highlandtown, but the fun really starts tonight with an event at the American Visionary Arts Museum. It costs $55 ($45 if you buy online) per person. For that price, you can mix it up with Baltimore City parks officials and Del. Jon Cardin.

If you're looking for a cheaper way to celebrate the trees, you can check out an event they're holding April 12 at the Hopkins beach.

And speaking of under-used parks: I used to live across the street from Riverside Park in Baltimore, and they have a huge pool. It costs a dollar a person, I think, to get in, but a lot of times the city didn't even charge me if I came an hour before closing (when it wasn't scorching hot.) The hours aren't that convenient -- i think they open around 10 and close at 5 -- but since it's practically free, who could complain?