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Operations and natural-resources staff outline grants, tree plantings and pine-beetle impacts; levy would add staff for trails and maintenance
Summary
Parks operations and natural-resources staff reported a $6 million USDA Forest Service grant program, hundreds of tree plantings and removals in 2024, and significant trail maintenance and staffing shortfalls; staff said a parks levy would fund trail maintenance, rangers and other improvements.
Operations and natural-resources staff told the Park Board that a multi-year federal grant, volunteer partnerships and contractor work have supported tree-planting and restoration work, but that the system faces pressing challenges including pine-beetle activity, limited trail maintenance funding and understaffing.
Angel Spell, natural-resources manager, described partnerships and volunteers who supported planting and restoration projects in 2024 and noted a USDA Forest Service grant authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act. Staff said the grant totals $6,000,000 over five years and supports 11 contracts covering outreach, tree planting, pruning and removals. In 2024 staff reported planting about 168 trees across multiple neighborhoods and completing roughly 118 removals of dead trees in areas affected by beetle damage and other stressors. Staff said pruning contracts are scheduled to come to the Park Board in March for approval.
Spell described a pine-beetle surge affecting ponderosa pines across several parks and noted state entomology staff have reviewed and agreed with Parks’ management approach; staff said a chemical treatment product is pending EPA registration and availability. Staff emphasized the system’s trail-maintenance shortfall: the Parks Department oversees more than 100 miles of trails across over 2,000 acres but currently has no dedicated staff or operational budget for trail upkeep.
On operations, Al Vorderbrueggen, director of operations, cited several accomplishments in 2024: a successful right-of-way pilot program, creation of an internal irrigation team that reduced contractor reliance, a park maintenance grant from the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office that funded roughly $100,000 in playground repairs (matched with department funds), and an air-quality grant to purchase about $250,000 in electric maintenance equipment. Staff said the parks levy proposal would add maintenance staff, rangers and funds for restroom repairs, lighting, wayfinding and trailhead improvements.
