Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Park Safety Tree Removal topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Huber Heights removes 11 invasive pear trees, removes swings at Shoal Gate Park after safety inspection
Summary
City parks staff removed 11 Bradford pear trees from two parks, applied for an urban forestry grant, and temporarily removed swings at Shoal Gate Park after an independent impact study found areas of surfacing did not meet safety standards.
Huber Heights parks staff reported the removal of 11 Bradford (pear) trees from the city park system and said the city has applied for an urban forestry grant to support additional removal work.
A parks staff member told the Parks and Recreation Board that 11 invasive pear trees were removed—nine at Shoal Gate Park and two at Gary Sherman Park—and that the stumps were ground out. The staff member said the city submitted an application for a $100,000 urban forestry grant and expects to know the outcome by Oct. 15.
The parks staff member also told the board that, after visible problems with poured-in-place surfacing around swings at Shoal Gate Park, the city hired an independent inspector to conduct an impact study. "Unfortunately, several areas did not pass safety standards in the areas around the swings. And so the swings have been removed, indefinitely until we are able to get that corrected," the staff member said during the meeting. The rest of the playground at Shoal Gate Park remains open, the staff member said.
Staff also reported peeling in the astroturf surfacing at Cottonwood Park on play mounds and said maintenance crews are exploring ways to reduce wear, including changing the location of high-use activities. The parks staff member reminded the public that motorized scooters and other motorized vehicles should not be used on playground surfaces.
Separately, the board received an update on the Heritage Tree program and the city—s intention to apply for designation as a Tree City USA. The parks staff member said sample signage for the Heritage Tree program was reviewed and that two nominations from last year would be awarded; staff said the Tree City USA application opens in the fall and the board may take on an advisory role for tree-related projects.
No formal board vote was recorded on these items; the updates were presented for board information and future action pending grant outcomes and repairs.
