Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department to enter into contract with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, a non-profit corporation, to support the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s Tree Assistance Program in the amount of $62,200.00. The Columbus Tree Assistance Program (TAP) is an intergovernmental collaborative project between Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District. TAP allows private landowners to apply for funds to plant trees on their private property.
Principal Parties:
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
Governmental Organization, subdivision of the State of Ohio
1404 Goodale Boulevard, Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43212
Jennifer Fish, Director 614-486-9613
Contract Compliance Number: 004386
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: March 5, 2027
Benefits to the Public: This project will increase the Urban Tree Canopy which reduces storm water runoff, reduces utility costs to nearby homes and businesses, and reduces air pollution. The plantings will add to the total overall canopy levels and help to reduce storm water runoff, heat-island effects and replace trees lost due varying causes of tree mortality.
Community Input/Issues: Columbus has an ambitious Urban Forestry Master Plan, with an overarching goal of reaching 40% tree canopy coverage across the city by 2050. A recent assessment found that only 22% of Columbus has tree canopy coverage. Though the City and our partners plant trees on public land, most land (and therefore the majority of the opportunity for increasing the tree canopy) in Columbus is privately owned. Through TAP, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department can provide needed funds to Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District to cover the cost of trees, planting supplies, labor, and administrative costs to plant trees on private property. The program has demonstrated success since its pilot ye...
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