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NEWS FROM THE LAND MANAGMENT DEPARTMENT NEW OPEN SPACE RULES & REGULATIONS On February 7, the Louisville City Council The City understands that many encroachments onto City passed Ordinance#1463, Series 2006 amend- City open space properties have existed for a number of ing the rules and regulations regarding City Open Space. years and property owners may have assumed that their A number of new elements have been added to the gardens or landscaping on City property was allowed. Open Space policies that will help the City manage the Therefore, the Land Management Department will work uses of open space property. A few of the notable new with property owners to remove encroachments and will elements include: take the lead in re-vegetating any disturbed areas with • Permission for persons with disabilities to use native grasses that complement the surrounding open certain motorized vehicles on trails; space. Gardens or any other plantings should not be re- • Prohibition of the discharging or carrying of any planted this spring and the Land Management Depart- firearms (concealed or otherwise), projectile weap- ment is asking that encroachments be removed by early ons, or explosives of any kind on open space; summer. • Prohibition of research projects that negatively Trees or large shrubs which have been planted on impact resources; City open space generally need not be removed. In the • New group use regulations on open space; rare case that these plantings are restricting the City's • Clarification of enforcement of rules, hours of use, ability to mow or maintain our open space, pose a public and violation penalties; safety hazard, or are considered an invasive species, the City will consult with property owners and discuss Of particular interest to many residents was the sec- tion stating that, "It shall be unlawful for any person to removal of the planting. In all other cases, the planting encroach into any Open Space property with any private will be allowed to remain. Notices will be sent to prop- improvements, including but not limited to gardens, prop- erty owners with encroachments on City open space. If landscaping, fences, paths or compost piles, or store any you have questions regarding the new open space regu- lations, please feel free to call the Land Management personal property on Open Space." Department at 303.335.4731. WALNUT PARK TRAIL UPDATE NEW ARBORIST REQUIREMENTS Trail work and bridge installation is just beginning lty Council recently made changes to the municipal at Walnut Park.Walnut Park is a recently acquired code concerning the management of trees within property north of Spruce Street and south of Lafayette Street Louisville.As a result, tree care companies for hire in the area between where the two sec- within the city limits are now required to obtain an 01'tions of Walnut Street dead-end. Arborist license issued by the Department of Land b�, After the bridges are installed, a con Management. 47-i:{ Crete trail will be built that will connect Licenses will be issued to companies which � meet the following minimum requirements: have at II�the existing trails to the north and south N I 'YA,as well as connect with Walnut Street least one certified arborist on staff; meet minimum on the west side of the property and to insurance levels; and perform tree work in accordance to both the trail that comes from the east from federally mandated safety standards and arboricultural main- Walnut Court. tenance standards. Trail users are asked to refrain from using the trails until By instituting licensing procedures, the City will help they are completed and safe.The project is expected to be protect citizens from improperly insured, under-qualified tree complete by the fall. care companies. Many cities along the front range of Colo- This new section of trail completes a missing link in rado have similar requirements. Our urban forest will benefit Louisville's extensive trail system. For additional information from an anticipated increase in the level of tree care. about the new trail, please call Kathy Kron at 303.335.4736. For additional information, please contact Chris Lichty, City Forester, at 303.335.4733. April-May 2006 8