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Commission refers proposal to allow hand-harvesting of fruit and nuts on Green Bay parklands to staff
Summary
The commission voted to refer to park and legal staff a proposed amendment to municipal code section 283 that would permit limited hand-harvesting of fruit and nuts on city parklands, create "food forest" zones, and clarify prohibitions and municipal liability; staff will draft precise code language.
The City of Green Bay Environmental Commission voted to refer to park and legal staff a proposed amendment to municipal code section 283 that would permit limited harvesting of fruit and nuts from trees and shrubs on city-owned parkland and greenways.
Commissioner Ned Door introduced the change, saying the proposal would remove the current blanket prohibition on removing plant parts and instead allow “permitted harvesting,” defined to include handpicking fruit, nuts and other plant parts in small quantities for personal consumption and not for resale. Door said the proposal also contemplates designating "food forest zones," lists of allowable activities, and explicit municipal limits on liability for adverse health effects from harvested material.
Several commissioners and staff asked for clarifications about the draft language and noted portions of the packet appeared truncated. Julia Nordike and other commissioners urged adding clear definitions for any new terms and repeating the "not for resale" restriction in the prohibitions section so it is explicit in multiple places.
The draft amendments as outlined would prohibit removal of roots, stems and leaves except in designated food forest zones, restrict harvesting to non-threatened species, and ban ladders, mechanical devices or other tools that could damage trees, plants or soil. The proposal would also allow removal of species listed as invasive by the Wisconsin DNR.
A motion to refer the recommendation to staff for refinement and to have park and legal staff draft final ordinance language passed by voice vote. The commission did not adopt final code text at the meeting; staff were asked to return with tightened language for further review.
Next steps: park staff and the city attorney will prepare a redlined ordinance and return it to the commission for review and possible referral to the appropriate legislative body if a formal ordinance change is recommended.
