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Staff highlights urban-forest inventory, pollinator gardens and 12 Mile Park improvements
Summary
City staff reported adding 1,088 trees to the public inventory in 2024, volunteer engagement metrics and goals for pollinator gardens, an urban-forest master plan grant pursuit and planned improvements at 12 Mile Park.
City staff presented a broad parks and urban-forestry update noting inventory, volunteer and maintenance metrics, and capital priorities for 2025.
Staff said 1,088 trees were added to the public tree inventory in 2024 through intern and volunteer efforts and student projects. The urban crew recorded about 2,032 pounds of litter collected from parks, rights-of-way and green spaces last year (down from earlier years) and reported 423 volunteers participated in community cleanups and Grama-in-the-Park activities. Staff highlighted pollinator and native-plant demonstration beds (including work by Kathy Robinson and retired extension agents at Sedgefield) and described plans for Berkeley Orchard to include intentional meadows and low-input fruit trees as demonstration landscaping.
Tony noted workforce training goals: two crew members are completing a South Carolina Scape Professional Certification program and one employee is pursuing a commercial driver's license (CDL) to help the crew access larger equipment. For 12 Mile Park, staff outlined plans to replace bilingual park signs, remodel failing restrooms, add sand to the beach area, investigate ADA parking and accessibility to picnic shelters, and consider playground replacement; troop and volunteer projects (including an Eagle Scout trail project) are under way for single-track nature trails and interpretive signage.
Staff also described a proposed urban-forest master plan and said they will seek matching grant funding to develop a comprehensive plan that would cover public and private trees, canopy goals and habitat corridors. The staff presentation noted opportunities for city-university collaboration and recommended bringing a funding request to city council as part of the budget process.
