Seaside plans spring tree giveaway; staff aim for March–April rollout and park plantings

Commissioners and staff discussed two related tree initiatives: a resident tree giveaway and a separate program to plant trees in parks. Commissioner Diane Nielsen said the Neighborhood Improvement Commission had approved both programs but implementation had stalled; she asked whether both could roll out before May so newly planted trees would benefit from spring rains.

City staff (Dave) said he had contacted Hannah Gardens and expects to coordinate inventory and a March–April giveaway that would allow trees to establish during the spring rains. "I think that's a good plan to plan on starting right on April 1," staff said, adding he will confirm availability with the nursery in March.

For park plantings, staff and commissioners stressed care to avoid conflicts with parks master plans and view sheds: where master plans or future trails or play structures exist, plantings would be deferred. Commissioners discussed who would steward trees in parks; staff explained stewards should be willing to water and maintain trees and that any park could receive a tree if someone agreed to steward it. Commissioners also discussed whether FOSPA (a longtime parks volunteer group, spelled variously in the transcript) would plant and maintain trees versus city staff or other volunteers; staff said the program design would seek to avoid duplicating existing volunteer commitments.

Commissioners requested clearer documentation on program scope, the parks eligible for planting, types of trees to be used, and who will bear stewardship responsibilities. Staff said they will follow up with Hannah Gardens and return with confirmatory details at the March meeting.