Title
Resolution to Name the Property Donated by Pulte Homes of Michigan, LLC as “Hickory Nature Area”
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve the naming of the park property acquired from Pulte Homes of Michigan, LLC as “Hickory Nature Area”.
In March, 2019 the 2.07 acre parcel was donated to the City of Ann Arbor by Pulte Homes of Michigan, LLC. The property consists of dry-mesic forest dominated by oaks and hickories, including a small grove of hickories on its western edge. The forest is notable because it contains many large landmark trees, such as white oaks, shagbark hickories, and sugar maples, which had been part of a fencerow around the property when it was a farm field in the first half of the 1900s.
The property is the first acquisition in what could potentially become a larger network of protected natural areas providing connections to the Huron Parkway Right-of-Way and Onder Nature Area to the south and Leslie Park and Black Pond Woods Nature Area to the east. Such connections are beneficial to the movements of both wildlife and park users.
Staff
Prepared by: Dave Borneman, Deputy Manager, Natural Area Preservation
Reviewed by: Colin Smith, Manager, Parks and Recreation
Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The property was acquired as parkland by the City of Ann Arbor in March 2019;
Whereas, The property contains many regulated landmark trees, including a grove of hickories; and
Whereas, The Parks Advisory Commission recommended at their September 17, 2019 meeting that the property be named "Hickory Nature Area";
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and Council approve that the park donated by Pulte Homes of Michigan, LLC, as shown on the attached map, be named “Hickory Nature Area.”