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MEMO To: Chris Andersen, Public Works Director From: Bob Hammitt,Maintenance Director Date: September 22, 1995 Subject: Washburne Park and Westmoreland Park Tree Decline I cannot remember if I briefed you regarding the tree decline problem in Washburne and Westmoreland Parks. As you probably recall,when we asked the Council to reinstate the irrigation program, we recommended that due to the deteriorated condition of the existing systems in these two parks,they not be turned back on until we could fund capital replacement of them. In late July, I received a call from Councilor Swanson-Gribskov. A constituent that lives on the west side of Washburne Park had complained to her about the dying trees. Since Councilor Swanson-Gribskov lives on the east side of park, she had also noticed the dying trees. Trees that have died or are in significant decline in the park, include a large Dawn Redwood, a large Beech, two mature Yew, and a Tamarack. There are also other trees, such as, a Coast Redwood in the south end of the park showing extreme stress, and smaller trees such as Flowering Cherries and Birches that are also either dead or dying. I asked Scott Plamondon to do an assessment of what was causing these trees to decline and die. The constituent that complained was sure that it was the lack of irrigation. Scott performed the assessment and concluded that several things had contributed to the decline of the trees. In some cases, walking paths over the root zones had contributed to the decline, or the type of soil they had been planted in. Scott's assessment concluded that the lack of irrigation water to these trees, that had been accustomed to irrigation during the warm season, was a significant factor. Scott's assessment included the fact that if we do not get irrigation turned back on in this park, we are likely to see more trees go into a declining state,or die in the next few years. Since receiving the assessment, I have not contacted the constituent or Councilor Swanson- Gribskov. As many of the trees in this park are unique,we need to figure out a way to get water back on. There is a big difference in losing turf,that can be replaced, and losing 100+year old trees. Especially, since a number of these trees are unique to the area. Prior to contacting Councilor Swanson-Gribskov or the constituent,I wanted to discuss a strategy with you. We could divert some resources from our operating budget, and perform enough repair to get the system operation again, as we did in other parks. We would try to find enough additional money to replace some of the worst components. Staff's estimation is that to completely replace the system,based on$11,000 per acre as a standard for irrigation systems,the cost for this park