Latest news with #ColumbusRecreationandParks
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbus residents warned: Pruning city trees can lead to hefty fines
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As the weather warms up, many central Ohioans turn their attention to yard work, including pruning trees, however for the people of Columbus, knowing if the tree is city property is essential before any alterations are made. A recent post on the social media site, Nextdoor, warned neighbors about the repercussions of clipping city trees. 'Just a reminder to everyone,' the poster wrote. 'The trees that are located in the area between the sidewalk and the street are considered city property in The City of Columbus. Be careful, my neighbor got fined $1,200 for taking … even dead limbs off a tree. If you want them trimmed, call the city.' Street trees, which are usually planted along roads in the space between the sidewalk and the street, known as the tree lawn, belong to the city, according to the Columbus Recreation and Parks website. The Recreation and Parks Department's Forestry section manages these trees, including planting, pruning, and removal. The site states that its team is on call 24/7 to handle tree-related emergencies. For those wondering about general tree maintenance, the city has clear guidelines in place, requests for service, such as pruning or tree removal, can be submitted through the City 311 Service Center at 614-645-3111 or online at People can also ask for a new tree to be planted through this service. Since these requests are prioritized based on public safety and available resources, residents should plan ahead when seeking tree maintenance. If homeowners prefer to pay out of pocket for trimming, treatment, or removal of a city-owned tree, the work must be done by a certified arborist with a permit from the Forestry section. Permits are free and are supplied after a city arborist makes an inspection. Figuring out whether a tree belongs to the city or a homeowner is key before any changes are made. To be sure, residents can check the Columbus public tree inventory map. This interactive online tool provides information about tree species, size, and location, helping homeowners understand whether a tree falls under city management. This knowledge can prevent accidental violations and ensure trees receive the proper care. In December 2023, NBC4 reported on increased fines for cutting down city trees. The newest tree code increased the penalty for cutting down public trees, from $200 per diameter inch to $260 per inch. In March of the same year, Dunkin' Donuts in Clintonville received an $8,000 fine for cutting down trees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbus debuts new park honoring ties to the Underground Railroad
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The city came together Saturday morning to honor the history of Alum Creek Trail and the role it played in enslaved people's journey to freedom. 'That really was an effective place for slaves to move throughout that river corridor along Alum Creek to freedom,' said Bernita Reese, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks. The Columbus Metropolitan Library and Columbus Recreation and Parks came together to announce The North Star Project. 'It was all about moving north, people moving north. How did they move north? It was all built off the brightness of the star,' Reese said. In the first phase of the project, they revealed plans for a new park. It will take inspiration from the North Star and its galaxy. Reese said they want to bring attention to how it was used to help people escaping slavery to find their way north. 'I think it's so important that first of all we know our history but also that we are moving forward,' she said. The park will be across the street from the Shepard branch of the library, and organizers plan to transform it into a space for playing and educating. 'It will have a reflective area that we'll look at. People will be able to come and really sit and think. There will be QR codes along this park corridor that people can really educate themselves and learn more about the Underground Railroad,' Reese said. It's also right next to a trailhead for Alum Creek Trail, which was a route on the Underground Railroad. Reese said each year there will be new installations along the trail for people to learn more about the journey. 'We want to look at conductors. We want to look at conductors' wives. We want to look at some other opportunities that have been presented within the state of Ohio,' Reese said. Reese said an official time is not set yet, but they are hoping to start the park in 2026. 'We want the community involved. We want the community to be able to give us feedback,' she said. Columbus Metropolitan Library has been hosting programs about the Underground Railroad in central Ohio all month. You can learn more about those here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
