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Forest Park highlights urban-forest management plan tied to grant, updates tree protections
Summary
Administrator discussed a new urban-forest management plan and tree inventory tied to a grant; council approved a code amendment addressing public-tree protection and the plan will guide a 10-year canopy strategy.
Forest Park administrators on June 27 presented final versions of an Urban Forest management plan and an executive summary of the village tree inventory, items the council said will guide canopy management for the next decade.
"The urban Forest management plan is going to be a guiding document to allow us to plan for and manage our Urban canopy over a 10-year period," the administrator said, noting that the plan and inventory accompany a tree grant. The council had earlier approved an ordinance amending the municipal code section on trees, shrubs and vegetation; that code amendment was described in the meeting as a requirement tied to the tree grant and applies to public trees rather than private trees.
Administrators encouraged residents to review the two documents in the meeting packet. The materials, they said, identify the village's dominant tree varieties (noting a maple predominance) and outline priorities for planting, protection and maintenance. Council members praised staff work on the project and emphasized that the documents will help long-term budgeting for public-tree management.
The council passed Ordinance O-28-22 to update code language related to trees and public ways; staff said the ordinance and plan together will inform future tree-planting and maintenance decisions.
Next steps include continued implementation by Public Works and related departments, and the village indicated it would continue public outreach and use the plan as a reference for upcoming budget cycles.
