Tree Removal Has Begun in Smith Park

City of Platteville staff, Delta 3 Engineering, and the Platteville Inclusive Playground Committee have been diligently reviewing the impact that the Inclusive Playground footprint will have on the existing trees within Smith Park.  Originally, the design showcased 9 trees to be impacted and to be removed by the playground project.  The good news is, after the final site visit and prior to construction, staff were able to reconfigure the playground footprint to reduce the number of trees which will need to be removed, from 9 to 6.  One of the six trees identified was already in the process of having to be removed due to sections being dead and the remainder continually dying. 

This week, City crews began the process of removing other trees within Smith Park that are dead or dying, not as a result of the playground, but due to either the emerald ash borer or age.  Once the Platteville Inclusive Playground is complete, the Parks and Recreation Department will be amending the Forestry Management Plan to replace the trees removed as funding and ability allows.