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Parks director outlines tree removals, arboretum signage and 90‑tree planting tied to Arbor Day grant
Summary
Parks Director Amy Buckler reviewed a Department of Natural Resources grant that will fund hazard‑tree removal at Borst Park, signage and species mapping for the arboretum, and large public plantings April 19 and April 26; council approved the consent agenda (including a contract amendment to remove nine high‑risk trees).
Amy Buckler, deputy city manager and parks director, briefed council on tree work funded by a Department of Natural Resources grant and on Arbor Day activities planned for April.
Buckler said a professional tree assessment at Borst Park identified roughly 30 dead or dying trees; four large trees were removed in December and the city sought council approval on the consent agenda to amend an existing tree‑removal contract to remove nine additional high‑risk trees. The consent agenda — which included that contract amendment among other routine items — passed the council 7‑0. Buckler told council the average cost to remove and haul away a large tree is about $3,000.
The DNR grant also funds updates to the Borst Arboretum: Buckler said staff had documented roughly 250 trees of 150 species in the 5.5‑acre arboretum, ordered identification signs and will publish a tree map and brochures by June. Volunteers from the Borst Arboretum Botanical Society will help install signage and guide visitor outreach.
Buckler announced a major planting event on April 19: volunteers will plant 30 trees at Riverside Park and 60 at Bridge Street Park as part of the grant, with a separate volunteer planting at Seminary Hill on April 26 organized by local partners. She also said Parks plans 15–20 additional plantings in the arboretum this spring and will replant in areas where large maples were removed once the city resolves species selection.
Buckler told council crews will cordon off some parking areas along the South Loop Road this summer to protect root zones from compaction; she said parked vehicles were harming roots and contributing to tree decline in that part of the park.
Council members and staff asked for signage to inform park users why areas are closed and to explain the root‑zone protection work. Buckler said staff will post explanatory signs at cordoned areas and work with volunteers for planting events.
What passed: the consent agenda (including the amendment to the tree removal contract to take out nine high‑risk trees) was approved by council 7‑0 during the meeting’s consent vote.
