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Tarpon to expand tree canopy
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Published: July 4, 2009
TARPON SPRINGS - A proposal by parks division staff to add to the city's tree inventory really grew on city commissioners during a work session Tuesday night.
Under the plan the city workers will plant at least 116 trees in various public areas.
Commissioners informally endorsed the tree planting plan, giving City Manager Mark LeCouris a green light to implement it.
The city will pay the project's $43,000 price tag with money from its tree fund, said Scott Witt, city parks superintendent.
Cycadia Cemetery, Craig Park, along Spring Boulevard and in the Oakleaf Village playground are some of the places the trees will be planted, he said.
A majority of the trees will be live oaks because of their heartiness and shade-producing qualities, said Public Services Director Juan Cruz.
Other trees to be planted will include, Bismark palm, crape myrtle, Geiger trees, slash pines, long leaf pine, and red maple, Witt noted.
About 10 of the trees will be planted in Craig Park, Witt said. Some of the new trees will provide shade at the waterfront park's band shell. Others will be situated so they will eventually replace aging trees that will have to be removed.
Care will be taken in planting the trees to ensure Craig Park can still accommodate public events such as the annual Chamber of Commerce art show, Witt pledged.
Here are other places the trees will be placed:
•Sunset Beach - near the northern retention area to provide shade for the adjacent picnic area.
•Rotary Park - In the northeastern corner to shade the bleachers and dugouts.
•Sisler Field - Near the batting cages.
•Dorsett Park - Near the tennis court and playground.
•Highland Park - At the playground.
Under staff's proposal, Mother Meres Park will get a shade canopy of sabal palmettos and live oaks. The small park at the intersection of Tarpon and Pinellas avenues is mostly a paved parking area.
The city will purchase a $20,000 watering truck to help preserve the tree canopy it is creating, LeCouris said.
City staff is still finalizing the tree plan, Witt said. The next step includes securing services to supply and plant the trees.
Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-825-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.
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