The City of Rock Hill has collaborated with Missouri Botanical Garden’s Deer Creek Watershed Alliance to conduct its first comprehensive tree survey of all City of Rock Hill public property. This project will enable City of Rock Hill to create and maintain a public street and park tree inventory and allow them for the first time to develop and implement a strategic tree maintenance plan. The goal of the project is to enhance the quality of life for City of Rock Hill residents and improve water quality in the Deer Creek Watershed.

The City of Rock Hill has hired Davey Tree Company, an experienced urban forestry consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive GIS-based inventory of street trees and park trees in seven city-owned parks: Greenwood Park, Hensley Park, Oakhaven Park, Oak Trail, Rock Hill Park, Stroup Fields, and Whitfield Park. The information collected will assist the City of Rock Hill’s staff in its ability to efficiently locate existing trees, prioritize tree maintenance tasks, and identify, assess, and correct storm damaged trees. View the Tree Inventory Summary Report for additional information.  A portion of the funding for this project was made available through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) Program, and also through the Great Rivers Greenway District.

Rock Hill parks and recreation director, Al Hayden said he was grateful for the assistance from the Botanical Garden’s Deer Creek Watershed Alliance with this project as it will be very beneficial with future tree care and planting strategies. The City of Rock Hill’s vision to promote and preserve the urban forest and improve the management of public trees was a fundamental inspiration for this project. This vision will ensure canopy continuity, which will reduce stormwater runoff and improve air quality, public health, and aesthetic values.

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