In downtown St. Paul, a little-known city park features a playground and benches between the Sibley Park Apartments and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

With the exception of some small trees around its perimeter, what it doesn’t provide is relief from the sun — as in, much shade at all.

The problem, according to St. Paul Parks and Recreation, is that the park’s compacted soil offered little support for overstory or canopy trees. Those planted as part of the park’s development in 2005 did not survive.

On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council accepted a gift from neighborhood residents aimed at correcting that problem.

The Friends of Wacouta Commons Park raised money to donate 14 overstory trees and cover installation costs, an $18,000 value. The 48 members also selected a contractor under the guidance of Parks and Rec., and the trees were planted Tuesday and Wednesday.

The strategy was to use “radial trenching” — long trenches excavated around the roots to allow for new soil and horizontal root growth. The hope is that the Kentucky Coffee, Honey Locust and Elm trees will take root, and so will public interest in the park. Eight Elm trees planted in 2013 using that method have done well to date.

Long-term plans call for a small youth sport court, new planting beds and a new water feature.