A Park Board member reported safety concerns at Westside Park on Aug. 4, highlighting several large dead trees near the playground and overgrown limbs obstructing walking paths, and recommended contractor removal before a severe wind event.

Jay Aaron, Park Board member, said the site is “in pretty rough shape” and described tree limbs and large bushes impeding walking paths. He told the board there are “three to four large dead trees that are encircling the playground” and called them a “big concern” for public safety if a strong wind were to cause them to fall.

Staff also told the board the city is coordinating a floating-wetlands installation and is meeting with the Missouri Department of Conservation on Aug. 14 to discuss project timing. Dan Howard confirmed the conservation meeting and staff plans to determine when wetlands work will begin.

Discussion vs. decision: no formal vote to remove trees occurred at this meeting, but the board member urged staff to prioritize removal; staff signaled plans to use contractors and to schedule work as resources allow.

The board’s report emphasized public-safety risk from dead trees near high-use areas and requested staff follow up with contractor scheduling and removal plans.