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Troutdale staff proposes removing cottonwoods at Sunrise Park, considers lower‑growing shade trees
Summary
Parks staff raised a concept to remove tall cottonwood trees around Sunrise Park's detention pond and plant smaller, slower‑growing shade trees through a Friends of Trees planting event; staff said outreach to neighbors and a decision by November would be appropriate.
Parks staff raised a concept on June 18 to remove several tall cottonwoods at Sunrise Park and replace some with smaller, slower‑growing shade trees, and asked the Parks Advisory Committee for guidance on neighborhood outreach.
"Cottonwood trees are generally problematic," Jonah Jacobson said, describing the species as "soft wood" that can "shatter in the wind and ice." He said many neighbors had complained about large cottonwoods around the park's detention pond and that removing them could be paired with planting low‑growing species such as pin oaks or scrub oaks to provide shade without reaching great heights.
Jacobson told the committee he is discussing a memorandum of understanding and scope of work with Friends of Trees for a winter planting event, likely in early 2026, and suggested a decision about removals and plantings by November to fit the planting timeline. He also emphasized the need to balance views of adjacent homeowners with shade and tree cover for park users.
Committee members recommended outreach. Sherilee Winters said staff should "reach out to those around that park, especially those that would be impacted the most." Tiffany Long pointed out the Sunrise Park Facebook group as a possible outreach channel; Jacobson said he would "pound pavement" to get additional input if needed.
Jacobson described the idea as an early concept and not a finalized plan: "This is the early stages of a concept of a plan as I'm developing a contract with Friends of Trees for a planting event in 2026." No vote or formal commitment to remove trees was taken at the meeting.
