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Gardiner council votes to remove lower‑level ash trees in Dearborn Park after parks committee and arborist advice
Summary
The Gardiner City Council unanimously accepted the parks committee recommendation to remove two aging ash trees in Dearborn Park as part of a park redesign, citing emerald ash borer risk and future maintenance concerns; replacement species and plantings will be decided later.
The Gardiner City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 12 to accept the City Parks Committee’s recommendation to remove two large ash trees on the lower tier of Dearborn Park as part of a planned park improvement project.
Robert Abbey, chair of the parks committee, said the committee sought arborist input and concluded removal was the best long‑term option. "This is a park for the next generation of Gardiner folks," Abbey said. He explained that protecting those large ash trees during construction would be difficult and that, if the trees died after construction, reworking the lower tier would require excavating the new surface.
John Cameron, public works director, said he had consulted arborist Gary Ladner and reported Ladner’s recommendation: remove the two lower ash trees and not plant new trees on the lowest level because future pavers and confined soil would quickly recreate conflicts. Cameron said the committee’s plan keeps trees on higher tiers to preserve shade while leaving the lowest tier more open for durable features.
Committee members cited the emerald ash borer as a key factor. "If you read . . . what the state has predicted, they predict that the ash forest will disappear within a time period of about 5 to 20 years," Abbey said, summarizing guidance from state forester Jan Santerre and entomologist Mike Parizio. Parizio, the committee reported, told them controls may slow ash decline but are not expected to stop it entirely.
Councilors emphasized this vote approves removal only; a replacement plan will return to the council. "Tonight is just removal," Mayor Patricia Hart said. The parks subcommittee will develop and recommend species replacements and garden designs, and the parks committee and public works director said they will address long‑term maintenance funding during the next budget cycle.
Motion and vote: Councilor Gay Grant moved to accept the parks committee recommendation to remove the ash trees; the motion was seconded and carried with a unanimous voice vote.
Ending: The council approved removal of the two lower‑level ash trees while directing staff and the parks subcommittee to return with a replacement plan and budget implications before finalizing plantings.
