Commission backs city arborist approach for Depot Park while county proceeds on its parcels

Ashley Carter, a Public Works staff member, told the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission that county and city evaluations disagreed over the condition of a stand of poplars along Depot Park adjacent to Teeter and Hughes fields.

Carter said the county’s arborist identified 14 trees for removal because of hollow trunks and structural risk. The city arborist, John Mazur, assessed many of the same trees as candidates for pruning or topping rather than wholesale removal and recommended planting replacements to reinvigorate the stand.

“There's two conflicting opinions on the trees at Teeter and Hughes Field,” Carter said, summarizing the situation.

Why it matters: The trees are next to youth baseball fields and a public green; falling limbs had prompted the Little League’s request. The parcel ownership split means the county can remove trees on county‑owned land while the city retains decision authority for city‑owned trees.

Staff update and commission action Carter said county staff has completed its review and intends to remove the trees located on county property — roughly two‑thirds of the originally identified stand — and that the county will work with the city on replacement plantings. The city’s recommendation for replacement stock has been a 24‑inch box (or comparable larger stock), and the county indicated it would coordinate on mitigation and cost sharing, Carter said; at the meeting staff noted the cost-sharing arrangement is currently verbal, not written.

Commissioners expressed a preference for retaining as much canopy as possible and for using larger replacement specimens when removal is required. After discussion the commission voted unanimously to adopt the city arborist’s recommendations for the city‑owned trees and to ask staff to work with the county on replacement tree size and cost‑share arrangements.

Commissioner Jessica Misuraca suggested the city and county “plant bigger trees in some situations like this. You can get a 48 inches or bigger, and that would… get a head start.” Carter said staff will consult with the city arborist on appropriate species and sizes and return with implementation details.

Limitations and next steps Carter told the commission it cannot require the county to change course on county property, and that the county has followed its own protocols and legal vetting. The commission’s recommendation applies only to trees on city property; staff will pursue a written cost‑share and replacement plan with county parks and provide the commission an update when available.