Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2018 12 06

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LCity,f Louisville Parks & Recreation Memorandum To: Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board From: Allan Gill, PLA, Project Manager Date: 12/6/2018 Subject: Cottonwood Trees Replacement, Recreation Center Campus Purpose: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board (PPLAB) to review and discuss the replacement trees incorporated in the landscape design at the Recreation Center Campus, which resulted from previously removed cottonwood trees. Background: During early stages of the Recreation Center expansion project, two large cottonwood trees were deemed to be a public safety hazard. PPLAB considered two options in dealing with the trees. One option was to remove the trees and thus the safety hazard. The second option was to protect the trees, which would have required fencing or other means to keep people outside of the potential fall zones of the trees and a rerouting of the trail which passed between the trees. The board ultimately advised that the trees be removed and agreed that replanting in the general vicinity of the large cottonwood trees would be the best option. The PPLAB also requested the opportunity to review and discuss the replacement trees/landscape design in the context of a public meeting to assure there would be an appropriate remedy for the loss of the two large trees, especially given the vocal public concern when the cottonwoods were removed. Per the landscape plan, replacement trees are proposed in the general vicinity of the cottonwood trees that were removed. The cottonwood trees that were removed and replacement trees that are proposed are located off the southeast corner of the Recreation Center and off the west end of West Pinion Way. Also, a total of five trees are proposed to replace the two that were removed. The proposed species of trees are shown below and were selected from the same planting palette that was used for the Recreation Center Project to ensure consistency in landscaping. Among the factors influencing specific tree placements are drainage and utility conflicts, irrigation system design, and overall landscape design of the center expansion. Next Steps: Tree planting will occur this spring, estimated costs for the tree replacement project come to about $2,600. Attachments: Cottonwood Trees - Replacement Landscaping Plan 5