Community Program Highlights for Tree City USA

Lawrence Parks and Recreation

2005

  The city of Lawrence, Kansas continued in its 28 year Tree City USA Program to enhance the quality of life for Lawrence citizens by planting woody plants of trees and shrubs. 

     1.  Completed the following 2005 street tree planting and municipal landscape projects.

            Parks and special projects……… 198 trees and  694 shrubs.

            Other City Facilities……………………143 trees and  337 shrubs

            Downtown shopping District …………... 35 trees and 186 shrubs.

            Street Trees and Right of Way median green spaces ....201 trees and  370 shrubs

Master Street Tree Project……..  709  street trees  (2” caliper)  were planted in 35 new subdivisions.

Total plantings:   1286 trees and 1587 shrubs.

                        Total tree removals:   751

                        Total trees pruned:  1815

2. We invite community and city leaders to attend this year’s 2006 Arbor Day planting ceremony at Sunflower Elementary  School with student and adult volunteers to plant 2 trees on April 28, 2006,  2:00 P.M.

3. 2005 Park Staff installed new landscape and tree planting areas in South Park:  including 3 new areas along Massachusetts Street, one new Children’s Butterfly Garden, and redesigning the entrance plantings at the South Park Center to reflect new entrances.   Work with Student Volunteers from Free State High School  for the Great Green Service Day to mulch trees and landscape beds in the park.   20 student  volunteers are scheduled to work in the park on April 27, 2006 am.

4. 2005--Planted new trees on existing green space boulevards at Clinton Parkway and Bob Billings Parkway.     Hired a Horticulturist to oversee this and future right of way tree planting projects, under the direction of the Forestry Supervisor.   Plans for 2006 include planting trees on South Iowa  and West 6^th Street medians.

5. 2005--Parks and Recreation staff provided extensive arboriculture maintenance (mulching, pruning, watering and weed control) for all landscape areas, parks, municipal buildings  and street trees.  In addition we contracted with a local arborists to remove dead elms and prune street trees.  Assisted with additional changes in the Forestry Division to assure services were provided during ice storms during employee transition period , such as    providing tree stump removal,  tree removal and other duties.    Forestry division evaluated and  continued a system of contractual service for additional labor to  stay current.    Continued with the Park District Program for  tree  maintenance.   City staff pruned trees in the parks after being  cross trained on equipment and attending training such as the Tree I.D. and care workshops. 

6. 2005--Master Plan Parks:

1.  Master Plan additional Rotary Arboretum features:  Design and install arboretum pond system with waterfall, fill system and pond maintenance.  Planted 14 Additional trees at the arboretum.  Received a donation from Lawrence Rotary Clubs. Dedicated the Arboretum on April 20, 2005 with a special community event.  Developed preliminary plans for a low water use garden in cooperation with the Utility Department.  This will be an educational garden for low water and other native plants to be installed in 2006. 
2. Holcom Park:  Re-landscaped east park entrance with new rock wall and trees and shrubs.    Re -landscaped the west park entrance/ Holcom Park Recreation Center with new rock retaining wall, trees, shrubs, perennials, sod, new sidewalks, new sign and irrigation renovation.
3. Clinton Park:   Hire engineering firm to draw construction documents for the  park property to include new restroom, shelter, parking lot, walk paths and storm water distention. 
4. Progress on Downtown Mass Street Beautification Plan.  Hire an engineering/ landscape architecture firm to assist with plans for new plantings and layout on Mass Street green space.  This is the central shopping district for Lawrence.  Set priorities and costs for parking lot shrub renovations and add drip irrigation.   Remove and replace diseased trees.  Work with Utility Department on  Downtown Water Mainline Replacement Master Plan and Installation Project to install five water new water hydrants for the trees in the 700 block of Mass street.

7. Training and Community/Professional Outreach Projects:
1. Sent 2 employees to the Western Nurseryman’s Association Trade Show in K.C. Mo  January Sent 11 employees to the Kansas Shade Tree Conference and Tree Care Workshop
2. Hosted Tree I.D. workshop with the Kansas Forest Serviced and sent 6 employees.
3. Sent 2 tree care workers to the Kansas Arborists Association Summer Field Day at Clinton Lake near Lawrence.
4. Graduated 1 employee from the Kansas Arborist weeklong Workshop at K-State.
5. Recertified and earned continuing education credits for staff towards state pesticide licenses and International  Society  of Arboriculture  certifications.

8. 2005--Forestry staff coordinated a seasonal  & storm related brush drop off site.  This is a cost effective way for residents to drop off brush and woody materials for the recycling into mulch.  Collected 3915 cu yards.  @ $4573.00 value.      Recycled into tub grinding mulch,  producing about 5000 cubic yards.  Held 2 mulch sales totaling  $8128.00.

9. 2005-- Provided  enhanced  Pesticide Free --Parks  Program for 28 parks. 2005 --Buford Watson Jr. Park:  Developed a model program with community volunteers to establish a Pesticide Free Park.  This was a shared project (public volunteers & city staff), supported by the Neighborhood Association, general community and city commission.  Efforts to continue this are also in place for 2006.  Evaluated and reduced pesticide use usage in all parks and public facilities .   Evaluated and stressed safety for pesticide materials storage, usage training and other standards.   Continued for the program started in 2001 to reduce pesticide use, find alternative environmental safer products, and eliminate problem areas.   Worked with the general public to provide forum for volunteers to do weed cleanup around trees and landscape beds. 

10. 2005- Horticulture staff participated in a planning review committee for the City/County Planning to review plats and  site plans. Assisted with local reforest efforts by  providing technical support and compliance information for city landscape ordinances and right of way tree protection.

11. 2005--Continued with the Master Street Tree Planting Program:  Wrote and completed contracts for 3 projects totaling 709 trees being planted on private property in new subdivisions. Project costs:  $144,075.00 funded  by local builders and homeowners.

12. 2005--Purchased a Tennant Sweeper for $28502.00 to sweep leaves and other debris in the downtown shopping district.   Use city sales tax and downtown parking meter funds.

13. 2005--Purchase a one ton truck for right of way tree maintenance and maintaining Roundabout landscaping.