Parkridge West

Tree Trimming Report

Oct 27, 2005

Eight neighbors met today, October 24, 2005, with Jon Clarke, our neighborhood resource coordinator with the city, to go down onto the bike path and talk about the possibility of trimming or thinning some of the brush in the forest pockets along the path. Everyone agreed that the area has value as a wildlife habitat and that no one wants to see the area clear-cut.

The following are the plans we came up with after looking over the area and voicing our concerns and issues:

Trim small branches from lower trunks of trees, to about eye-level from the path, approximately 20 ft in from the path (depending on the depth of the area in question) to improve visibility. No trimming or thinning will be done adjacent to the property lines (unless requested - see below);

Thin selected shrubs and weedy areas, preserving the wild feel of the area while improving the appearance, visibility and health of the forest pockets;

Thin areas of dense vegetation overhanging or immediately adjacent to the path;

Remove dead wood on the ground;

Neighbors will be encouraged to contact the city to request trimming of tree limbs overhanging their property;

Any larger trees which the city Forester wishes to remove for safety or other specific reasons will be marked, and the neighbors will get together to decide which, if any, should be removed or trimmed.

Jon said he would get in touch with the Parks Department to discuss a time-table for this work. There are no plans to do anything in this area immediately, and we will have the opportunity to voice any additional concerns, now and throughout the process.

Our next neighborhood meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9th (second Wednesday of each month) at 7:00 pm at the Youth Center on Lashley.

See you there!