The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board voted Aug. 6 to approve removal of 93 trees in parks and on golf property after staff said the city tree board received a $1 million grant to inventory and prioritize public trees.
Superintendent Shannon explained the grant covers a comprehensive inventory and a plan to prioritize trees from hazardous to healthy, to removal and then replanting. “The city tree board applied for and was awarded a $1,000,000 grant to thoroughly inventory all the public trees in Michigan City, come up with a plan for prioritizing dangerous down to healthy, then removal, and then replant it,” she said.
Staff provided an interactive map showing the identified trees and said the grant will also fund replanting and maintenance for up to two years. The Student Conservation Association was discussed as a possible partner for planting and maintenance crews; staff said the association is used in other northwest Indiana counties and could provide trained seasonal staff.
The board will send the removal work out to bid at the end of the month and return to the board later with a planting plan identifying locations and species. Board members asked whether trees causing sidewalk damage were included; staff said the inventory focused on public trees in open-lawn areas and that trees affecting sidewalks may not all be included but can be evaluated and added if prioritized.
A motion to approve the removal of 93 trees was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. Staff noted stump-removal logistics and watering capacity are part of the planting/maintenance discussion; the grant will fund two years of post-planting care, and staff said the city is evaluating watering options and contractors to ensure newly planted trees survive.
Public commenters raised concerns about tree size and watering logistics and suggested the department avoid planting only small saplings; staff acknowledged the point and said the grant’s planting plans will address size and maintenance requirements.