Title/Name/Summary
Village Hall Front Lawn Tree Planting Project
History
In 2005, Village Staff devised conceptual landscape plans for the approximately 1.31 acre green space south of Village Hall. These concept plans, titled "Village Hall Front Lawn Improvements”, proposed two (2) different tree planting layouts for this site. The first option envisioned a formal tree allée (i.e. avenue) running perpendicular to Village Hall’s south elevation, while the second option proposed a similar but less formal tree arrangement. In both cases, trees were positioned along the peripheries of the green space, leaving the center area as an open “great lawn”. The option of adding sidewalks, flagpoles and decorative lighting were also considered. Although well-received, the Front Lawn project did not move forward at that time.
As interest in improving Village Hall’s Front Lawn has persisted, the Village’s Parks and Grounds and Development Services Departments have recently collaborated to revive and re-envision the original 2005 plans. While plans for the lawn are still in draft form, the first phase in the implementation of these new plans would be the installation of twenty (20) maple trees. The cost for the installation of these trees would come from the Village’s Tree Preservation and Green Infrastructure Account, whose aim includes tree enhancement projects in public spaces.
The twenty (20) maple trees would be planted in a way to create a formal tree allée extending from the north to the south side of the lawn. The space between the allée, which is currently comprised entirely of turf grass, would remain an open “great lawn”. Presently, the most prominent use of the lawn happens during the “Taste of Orland Park”, although holiday light installations, farmer’s market and other seasonal events also make use of the space. The tree allée would serve to better define the space for these and any future events, provide shade where there currently is none and supply the myriad of other environmental benefits inherent in trees.
The Village’s Parks and Grounds Department solicited and received estimates from three (3) landscape contractors for the procurement and installation of twenty (20), four (4) inch caliper trees. The Village requested four (4) inch trees with the aim to plant as large of trees as possible at a reasonable price point.
Brancato Landscaping Inc. of Niles, Illinois, which was the only company able to provide the quantity and caliper of trees desired by the Village, has provided an estimate in the amount of $12,500.00. Brancato Landscaping is well versed in this type of work having planted approximately 2,800 parkway trees for Public Work Department in 2016. Therefore, it is staff's recommendation that the Village accept the estimate from Brancato Landscaping of Niles, Illinois, for the installation of twenty (20) Autumn Blaze Maples as a part of the Village Hall Front Lawn Tree Planting project in the amount of $12,500.00.
Installation of the trees would be completed this spring.
On April 17, 2017, this item was reviewed by the Development Services, Planning and Engineering Committee and referred to the Board for approval by a vote of 2 -1.
Financial Impact
Funds for this project are available in the Tree Preservation and Green Infrastructure Account # 010-0000-223100.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve to accept the estimate from Brancato Landscaping Inc., of Niles, Illinois in an amount not to exceed $12,500.00 for the installation of twenty (20) ‘Autumn Blaze’ Maple trees as a part of the Village Hall Front Lawn Tree Planting Project.