Committee forwards Norwalk Tree Master Plan to Common Council after public workshops

The Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee voted unanimously April 9 to forward the city’s final Tree Master Plan to the Common Council for adoption.

The plan — developed by Planet Geo with city staff and local stakeholders — follows two public workshops, internal stakeholder sessions and an inventory-driven canopy assessment. It lays out goals, strategies and implementation steps aimed at increasing Norwalk’s tree canopy, improving tree care and expanding community stewardship.

Sarah Cruz, the city’s project manager for urban forestry, told the committee the draft incorporated extensive feedback from city departments, the Tree Advisory Committee and neighborhood groups. Chris Piper of Planet Geo described the outreach and noted that workshop participants emphasized maintenance and long-term stewardship as priorities over one-off planting campaigns.

The plan includes recommended measures such as updated planting guidelines, a prioritized planting map, steps to strengthen public–private partnerships, and a supporting ordinance review report that outlines possible updates to tree-related regulations. The ordinance review is a separate, supporting document intended to inform future code changes.

Committee members praised the level of community engagement and the plan’s practical focus. Several councilors asked that the plan’s staffing and funding needs be clear as the item moves to the Common Council so implementation steps can be budgeted.

The committee’s vote sends the final plan to the Common Council for adoption, with staff directed to include the plan materials in the council agenda for consideration on the scheduled Earth Day agenda.