The City of Hilliard recently partnered with The Urban Tree Project and The Ohio State University to clean up the parkland behind the Hilliard Branch of the Columbus Public Library.
The project came to fruition through the City’s Shade Tree Commission, a group of residents who advise City Council and staff on landscaping and street trees.
“Commission members identified the parkland behind the Hilliard Library as a ‘hidden gem’ property with a lot of unique and mature trees,” said Interim Operations Director Andy Beare. “We decided that we wanted to maintain the preserve and began working with The Urban Tree Project, a local non-profit that got the ball rolling.”
The Urban Tree Project, ran by Hilliard resident Tim Ascher, along with students from OSU’s School of Environment and Natural Resources worked with City staff to clear invasive honeysuckle and callery pear trees growing in the forest. They also treated stumps in the area to prevent their return.
The volunteers plan to make the library parkland an ongoing project, with a goal of preventing the return of the invasive plants.
The Urban Tree Project is a non-profit that aims to ensure native trees are planted in Central Ohio to provide shade, habitat and cleaner air.
