Councilmember Menace said the city Department of Public Works removed several failing trees at Eastman Park and that the city will replace them with native species to create an informal outdoor classroom for students and youth groups.
"So, they did some tree work this week, took down some of the old trees and, just wanted to announce that I'll be using some more funds to replace those with some special species, some native species," Councilmember Menace said at the meeting.
Menace said he met at the park with Commissioner Gents, Terry Clayton and Steve Antonucci to assess the trees and that the long‑term plan is to create plaques to identify tree species so school groups can learn while touring the oval. He said the tree‑replacement project will be funded over the next couple of years from board funds and other unspecified sources.
The councilmember also announced a memorial planting for George Vincent, a longtime Eastman Terrace resident and deacon at Ebenezer Baptist Church, who died several months earlier. "We'll be planting a chanticleer pear tree, right across the street from the Vincents home in the park...and we'll be placing a bench with a plaque as well in Mister Vincent's honor," Menace said, and invited the public to attend the ceremony at noon on Friday.
The items were presented as announcements; no formal council action or funding appropriation recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the statement that board funds and other sources would be used over time.