Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Streetscape topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks board approves Hudson downtown trees and eight planters under Main Street grant
Summary
The Parks and Urban Forestry Board voted to approve a Main Street Incentive Grant project to add new trees and eight planters along Hudson’s downtown, with staff noting the award had been accepted previously by city council and next steps include planting and a ribbon cutting.
Shonda Reid presented a Main Street Incentive Grant proposal to add new trees and eight planters across Hudson's downtown and the Parks and Urban Forestry Board approved the project by voice vote.
Reid told the board she had previously presented a grant under the same program for a pocket park and said, "I'd like to add some new trees and new planters throughout the downtown area." She described two tree species chosen for small root systems and drought tolerance and said the planters will include at least one tall evergreen shrub and seasonal fillers.
Board members asked about maintenance and watering in the first year. Reid said the plan includes adding water spigots for easier access, public works support, a thick layer of mulch and water-retaining planters; she also said she and family members will help with routine watering. One committee member cautioned against planting only cedar elms in close proximity, saying, "I do also want to try to caution you about putting cedar elms in that parking lot only because...if you get 1 disease, it's just gonna quickly spread to the rest of them." Reid responded that the board could mix species if preferred.
Reid said the grant award had already been accepted by the city council and that she would follow up with the board by email about the specific account funding the local match. Planter dimensions discussed at the meeting were approximately 48 inches by 22 inches by 24 inches, similar to existing large rectangular planters downtown.
A board member moved to approve the Hudson downtown tree and planter additions under the Main Street Incentive Grant; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Reid invited board members to a ribbon-cutting and staff discussed photographing the planting for outreach.
The board’s approval allows staff to proceed with procurement and installation; staff will confirm final species mix, watering logistics and a planting date in coordination with public works and volunteers.
