The Friends of Asbury Park Environmental Shade Tree Commission (APESTC) is a non-profit volunteer group with tax deductible status. While the Environmental Shade Tree Commission (ESTC) is a funded and appointed city commission, the cost of creating and maintaining our gardens goes far beyond the resources provided in our city budget. Donations to this non-profit go towards buying the plants, soil, mulch, compost and tools we need to keep these gardens looking their best all year round. All labor involved in planting and maintaining these gardens comes from a group of dedicated volunteers who gather twice a week (or more!) to plant, weed, prune and mulch.