Update on Trees

We appreciate the residents who have initiated the conversation regarding preserving the existing tree canopy within Casablanca Waterfront Park. We have prepared the summary below to clarify the project scope and address some concerns.

As part of the design process, an arborist report was completed to ensure the existing vegetation was adequately assessed and documented. Before construction, the central area mostly contained overgrown vegetation, including dead non-native and ash trees, invasives, and brush. The tree canopy was relatively limited (see aerial image below). Some of the park's trees were transplanted where the arborist recommended based on tree age, condition, and ecological benefit. The area around the creek will remain untouched to provide habitat for surrounding wildlife.

Overall the improvements in the central area will provide a naturalized landscape that includes approximately twenty-eight large trees that are appropriate species for the site conditions. There will also be other landscaping improvements, such as shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses. Another item to note is the project includes various locations that will have native seed mixes applied, including woodland, prairie meadow, pollinator, and prairie grass mixtures that will establish quickly and enhance the natural overall vegetation coverage.

It is always a hard decision to remove trees, and the concern about the overall loss of the canopy is understandable. The project team feels confident that the overall value of the improvements will provide healthy native vegetation for many generations to enjoy.