— Alfred MacDonald, Director of Wichita Parks and Forestry, City Manager Magazine, March, 1924 You may think that defense of tree canopy is quaint and old-fashioned. Or that we can’t afford the luxury of shade trees in these days of drought and tight budgets. We beg to differ.
We are ICT Trees, and we know that we cannot afford to allow our city’s tree canopy to suffer neglect and loss. We know the many benefits of welcoming shade trees. They cool our sidewalks and park grounds.
Trees absorb carbon and give us life-sustaining oxygen. Unfortunately, the city manager has ordered that no new trees be planted by the Park Department this fall, in order to contend with the current drought. This means no new street trees, and no new trees or shrubs in Wichita parks — even when dead or dying trees are removed.
We understand the need to respond to the drought emergency, and we have been assured that the young trees recently planted by the Park Forestry Division will be maintained. However, we also recognize the serious need not only to maintain Wichita’s shrinking tree canopy, but to expand it. Not to do so is like eating our seed corn in a time of famine.
NASA: Wichita needs more trees In 2022, the City of Wichita partnered with NASA to study the relationship between heat, trees and environmental justice. NASA’s final report (Nov. 17, 2022) identified seventeen Census tracts at elevated risk to vulnerable citizens from heat due to inequitable distribution of the city’s tree canopy.
Beginning this past spring, the city embarked on a vigorous program of planting trees in or near these urban “heat islands.” The small but measurable progress the city has made on this issue is now jeopardized. Alfred MacDonald, who was hired by Wichita’s first City Manager, L.
W. Clapp, recognized the crucial importance of trees to promoting Wichita’s long-term success. At a time when Wichita was roughly the same size as Hutchinson is today, he reported that Wichita’s Park and Forestry Department was planting 1,000 trees a year! Although writing one hundred years ago, MacDonald’s message is for us today: “Shade trees not only add to the beauty and appearance of a city, but shade trees add to the value of property.
They make a city a more healthful place in which to live. . .
. Shade trees are the greatest factor we have in ameliorating the intense heat of our summer months.” ICT Trees is also concerned about the recent discussion at the City Council of closing some Wichita Parks.
The Wichita Park system is already rated as below average in a survey of parks in the 100 largest American cities. But a bright element is a highly positive rating for the number of city parks with easy access to residents of low to moderate means. We know that neighborhoods love their parks.
Now is the time to show your support. Follow the schedule of City Council meetings and attend and speak up when the Park and Forestry budget is under discussion. You will have the opportunity to speak at three scheduled public hearings on the budget in the next two weeks: at 6 p.
m. Thursday, and at 9 a.m.
on Aug. 13 and 20. All three meetings will be at City Hall, 455 N.
Main, Wichita. Contact your City Council member—their email address is listed on the city website. Let the Mayor and City Council know you support your parks.
And while you are at it, put in a good word for planting trees! Harold Schlechtweg is president of ICT Trees, which advocates for planting and maintenance of Wichita’s tree canopy..
