We have a lot of strips of grass in our neighborhood with nothing planted. Is it the responsibility of the city, or homeowners, to take care of this? Wishing the city would do more to encourage planting shade trees to cover the streets.
by AdAggressive9740
14 Comments
owners usually take care of it. also, antthing beyond sidewalk is considered public use, so no complaints if people walk over it. I’d leave it grass, since people can park and get out cars stepping into that area
Former 311 operator here. CoA has all kinds of wonderful GIS maps that the city uses and there’s one to determine who “owns” each bit of land, including the ROW (Right Of Way) areas like this. Probably best to look at these on a desktop computer, not mobile. You can call 311 for help to see who is responsible for this area – maybe you.
https://maps.austintexas.gov/GIS/PropertyProfile/
Yours. r/guerrillagardening
Those little strips are a bad spot for trees. Pretty much anything you plant there is going to buckle the sidewalk when it gets big enough. Since its ROW there’s nothing stopping them from being removed for utility repairs etc. They also interfere with visibility pulling out of driveways. Best spot for shade trees would be 6’+ back from the sidewalk.
You can get free trees through the NeighborWoods program that’s funded at least in part by the City.
I don’t plant anything large in that strip just plants.
Keep in mind if anyone ever needs to do utility or road work it’s going to be destroyed.
I’ve lost the plants in that strip twice now. Once for a new sidewalk once for utility work. I still replanted it though since I think I’ll be safe for a few years now
If you want a tree there, you will probably need to plant one. If it were in front of my house, I’d plant something
City gave us Dwarf Crape Myrtle trees about 20 years ago to replace the ironwood they cut down from the strip between the street and the sidewalk – we have no problems w buckling sidewalks, I’ve lived in the same house almost 35 years. Easiest to plant what you’d like to see there and care for it though – If you have overhead lines, pick a small tree 😉
Tree shade > buckling sidewalks … I hear this buckling sidewalk argument too much.
I tried contacting the ROW department and the city arborist about planting row tree rules… neither could claim responsibility for it. If someone could help me, I’d like to also plant in the ROW in my neighborhood. Either way, my current plan is 811 to clear utilities then plant. Fall planting season is calling soon
the city. but they don’t want to make the outdoors inviting 🙄
that’s where you’re supposed to plant the bluebonnets
Man this convo is really about preserving the sidewalk over planting trees 🙄
Put native flowers there and put a tree six foot back from the side walk
You could plant some Texas rain sage bushes. They are native, drought resistant, evergreen and flower for long periods.