Tree Removal at Barton Springs: Public Meeting Tonight

There might be a little less shade this summer around the grassy slopes at Barton Springs. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is recommending removal of 28 trees within and near the fenced area surrounding the pool. Two additional trees will be removed later. Unfortunately, many of these are pecan trees-the biggest and best-and most are of “over-mature” age class. This is happening as part of the work for the Barton Springs Master Plan and a tree evaluation performed by the Davey Resource Group this past winter.

On Monday, April 20th at 6:15 p.m., the Parks and Recreation Department will hold a hearing on the plan at the Mexican American Cultural Center located at 600 River Street. The public is invited to the presentation and there will be time allocated for public comments. Ten, three-minute slots are currently planned and more may be added, according to Victor Ovalle, the spokesman for PARD. There will be paper copies of the report available. You can review the tree reports and maps on the City of Austin website.

Warning: The “Tree Assessment Report” is 98 pages (but has lots of cool pictures).

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Thinman in News on April 20, 2009 9:53 AM 0 Comments

Barton Springs

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Thinman

Hi,

I did attend the meeting tonight and yes, the city arborist must approve any removal. But before it comes to that, there will be several levels of review. Many people spoke in defense of the trees and PARD seemed to be listening.

zipidit

Please, help save some of these 30 trees. Attend this meeting today Md 04/20/09, and ask for more time for city's arborist to complete his review of these trees. He has not done so yet. Not all of these 30 trees may be dangerous, and if some are, there may be other solutions instead of immediate removal. The city of Austin has a strict ordinance for the protection, removal, and replacement of these larger protected trees. This ordinance is enforced by the city's arborist. The city of Austin needs to allow suffcient time for the chief arborist to complete his review.

zipidit

Please, help save some of these 30 trees. Attend this meeting today Md 04/20/09, and ask for more time for city's arborist to complete his review of these trees. He has not done so yet. Not all of these 30 trees may be dangerous, and if some are, there may be other solutions instead of immediate removal. The city of Austin has a strict ordinance for the protection, removal, and replacement of these larger protected trees. This ordinance is enforced by the city's arborist. The city of Austin needs to allow suffcient time for the chief arborist to complete his review.