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Norwalk tree committee reports recent plantings, plans larger spring/fall effort and fields concerns about high school removals
Summary
At a committee meeting members said 14 trees have been planted or ordered, outlined targets of about 100 trees this spring and 300–400 this fall, discussed a preliminary 70–90 tree landscape for the new Sono School, and addressed community concern about trees removed at Norwalk High School.
A Norwalk City tree committee meeting included updates on ongoing plantings, event planning for Arbor Day and Earth Day, and community questions about recent tree removals at Norwalk High School.
“We have 14 trees that have been planted or ordered so far,” Sarah, a committee member, said, adding that current planting funds are limited outside a designated MLK Corridor allocation but will be refreshed on July 1. She said the committee’s near-term goal is to “hit a hundred this spring” and to plant “somewhere between 300 to 400 in the fall.”
The committee noted a preliminary landscape plan for a new Sono School that shows space for 70 to 90 trees within the school property. Sonia, a committee member who has been coordinating with neighbors, reported that nearby residents and the San Vincenzo community garden would “love to have some trees put between the school and us.” Ken Hughes, superintendent of parks, was identified as the parks official working on a design the parks department would maintain.
Committee members described their efforts to connect private yard owners to an “adopt a tree” program and to find planting sites on South Main Street and other neighborhoods. Members emphasized limited current funding outside the MLK Corridor and said they will begin outreach over the summer after funding refreshes on July 1.
Several residents raised concerns about tree removal at Norwalk High School. Committee staff said the high school project was permitted in phases and that a replanting plan was submitted and approved as part of the permit process. A staff member urged residents with questions about removed trees to contact the permit office, which will “lay the plan on the table” and show the approved replanting plan and permit documents. Odell, identified in the meeting as the school system’s construction administrator, and Alan Lowe of building management were named as involved with the construction process.
The committee reviewed community outreach events tied to tree work. An Arbor Day cleanup and planting was scheduled for the morning following the meeting along the Norwalk River Valley Trail at 40 Cross Street (participants were to gather at 7:45 a.m.; work was planned through about noon). A committee member noted Mr. Whitehead had prepared water and ice for volunteers; Greer’s Kitchen in Norwalk agreed to sponsor lunch for volunteers with a discount. The committee also described a Cranberry Elementary School Arbor Day program that will include a poster contest and prizes, and a larger Earth Day exhibitor event the committee expects to run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jeff, representing a local Tree Alliance effort, said the Alliance had placed about 10–11 trees to date and had identified 15–20 additional potential planting locations. Committee members discussed planting in Union Park and other public spaces where room permits adding multiple trees rather than single shrubs.
Administrative business included a voice approval of the March meeting minutes (no roll-call tally was provided in the transcript) and a motion to adjourn at the end of the meeting.
The meeting was primarily updates and planning; committee members encouraged residents with specific questions about permits, approved replanting plans, or the school project to contact the city permit office or the committee so staff can present the approved plans in person.
