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Greendale residents press trustees on lifted sidewalks and street trees; public works outlines response
Summary
Residents told the Village of Greendale on Feb. 18 that roots from parkway trees are lifting sidewalks, creating trip hazards; public works staff described a program of grinding, removal and selective replacement.
Residents at the Feb. 18 Village of Greendale meeting urged the board to address sidewalks that are lifting and the tree species planted in parkway strips, telling trustees the problem causes trips, property damage and accessibility hazards.
At the podium
- Janet Belott (5698 Cardinal Court) described breaking a wrist after tripping on a raised slab and asked the village to consider removing or grinding problem slabs and replacing or relocating trees near Schoolway.
- Richard Patty (L Section, 5334 Lakeside Drive) and Carrie Pankoski (7365 Hill Valley Court) described multiple lifted slabs on their blocks, wheelchairs and strollers catching on heaved edges, and recurring grinding that had not resolved repeat heaving. Patty proposed asking homeowners whether they wanted trees in the narrow parkway strip or planting trees on the opposite side of the street.
- Wayne Harwood (5103 Morley Drive) said he had replaced a silver maple and recommended the village research species selection and staking practices; he suggested consulting an arborist and potentially removing problem trees rather than continually replacing sidewalk slabs.
Public Works response
Director of Public Works (Rod) and Director DeBass responded: the DPW grinds heaved slabs that cannot be replaced in the same construction year, using portions of a safety grant to cover costs. Where trees are removed because of sidewalk damage, the village replaces them with more ornamental species; the department is reportedly identifying multiple sidewalk/tree locations this year (marked in pink) and plans removals and grinding this summer for many of those sites. The director said the village is no longer planting species with aggressive surface roots in parkways and that residents should report problem sidewalks to the DPW for prioritization.
Operational details and homeowner options
Public Works staff said items flagged in field inspections are added to a priority list. For trees already in place, the DPW will remove trees causing current sidewalk upheaval; if a tree is not creating an issue it will not be removed solely for future concern. The village manager and staff noted that some species (Linden, silver maple historically) are prone to heaving sidewalks and that past plantings by private homeowners predate the village’s current tree-planting program.
How residents can follow up
Staff advised residents to report sidewalk and tree concerns directly to the Public Works director by email (staff provided contact information) and noted that photos can be sent when reporting damage. If further board action is required, trustees may place a future agenda item for ordinance or policy changes; for many maintenance issues DPW will handle remediation under its current program.
What trustees and staff will do next
Trustees asked DPW to follow up on specific locations raised in public comment and to provide clarity about species policy and inspection processes at future meetings or through staff communications. The DPW indicated it will remove trees that are currently creating sidewalk hazards and will avoid planting species with aggressive surface roots going forward.
