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Planning board permits tree removal at Hadley Park for playground expansion
Summary
The board approved removal of a 13‑inch‑caliper tree at Hadley Park to allow expansion of a playground under an ARPA‑funded park improvement; the city will plant three replacement trees per the plan and staff said the tree had been missed on earlier surveys.
The Lowell City Planning Board on June 2 approved a public shade‑tree hearing to remove a 13‑inch‑caliper tree at Hadley Park (1650 Middlesex Street) so crews can expand and renovate a playground.
Brianna Martinez, a design planner who manages park and open space projects for the city, said the tree was not identified on the existing site survey and only became apparent after construction began on the ARPA‑funded park improvements. The playground renovation’s planting plan includes three replacement trees in the play area, Martinez said.
Board members and staff praised the contractor’s handling of the tree once it was identified and noted the project proposes more new trees than the ordinance requires. One board member who visited the park said the site and photos made it easy to locate the tree and that workers had respected the city’s tree‑protection procedures.
A motion to approve the shade‑tree removal carried by unanimous voice vote. The board’s approval allows removal to proceed so the playground expansion can continue under the city’s review and planting plan.
