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Worcester subcommittee backs Urban Forestry Master Plan and urges council review
Summary
The Veterans Memorial Parks & Recreation subcommittee recommended the Urban Forestry Master Plan for council consideration, citing alignment with the Green Worcester plan and grant opportunities; a roll call recorded the committee’s affirmative recommendation to the full council.
The Veterans Memorial Parks & Recreation subcommittee on Dec. 16 voted to recommend the Urban Forestry Master Plan for consideration by the full City Council, after a presentation by John (sustainability/resiliency staff) and Assistant Commissioner Antonelli.
John said the plan grew from the Green Worcester plan and aims to protect and expand the city’s urban canopy, prioritizing planting in areas with low tree cover and addressing heat‑island and flood mitigation goals. Antonelli said the Urban Forestry Tree Commission provided detailed input and that the plan would help the city pursue grants and set priorities for planting and maintenance.
Public commenters, including Evelyn Hurwitz, Deb Carey from Mass Audubon and Grace Alton of the New England Botanic Garden, urged the committee to adopt the plan and recommended stronger zoning and development standards to protect and increase canopy coverage. A representative of the Worcester Tree Commission said the commission “unanimously supported this plan.”
Councillor Picillo moved for approval by the subcommittee to forward the plan to the council. The clerk conducted a roll call and members present voted in favor; a recorded roll call in the transcript shows affirmative votes by Councillor Seggi and Councilor Picillo (chair). The subcommittee recommended approval to the full council for its next meeting.
Antonelli and John said additional work remains—particularly policy and standard operating procedures—for tree planting and protection, and that staff will coordinate with Planning & Regulatory Services to align ordinances. The plan will also be used as a guide to prioritize sites for plantings and to pursue grant funding to implement recommendations.
