PARMA HEIGHTS MASTER PLAN

The Parma Heights Master Plan is a vision for our future, a road map to make Parma Heights an even better place to live, work, shop and play!

Parma Heights Master Plan.

2004 Original Master Plan

Parma Heights Transportation for Livable Communities (TLCI): Greening of Parma Heights Pearl Road Complete and Green Street Initiative

Parma Heights Urban Tree Canopy Enhancement Program 

What is a Tree Canopy and Why It’s So Important

Basically, a tree canopy is the cover provided by the branches and leaves of a tree or a group of trees. It is measured by how much of the ground you can see when you look down from above- for example, the view of the ground you get from a drone: the less you can see of the ground because of tree branches and leaves, the better.

Why is this important? There are many reasons but the most immediate in an urban environment might be that trees absorbs a large amount of water and help to control flooding. The denser the tree canopy, the less water reaches the ground.

Another reason relates directly to the first: homes and businesses that are free from flooding have higher values.

Add to that, the fact that trees are beautiful, offer shade, create the oxygen that we breather, provide shelter to birds and other animals… the list goes on and on. For an in-dept look at the benefits tree canopies provide- Canopy: What It Is and Why It’s Important

Parma Heights Tree Board

Chairperson – Joseph E. Sebes, Grant Administrator
Board Member – Robert P. Sepik, Director of Public Service
Board Member – Madison Bacci, Director of Recreation
Board Member – Renee Overstreet, Public Works Coordinator
Board Member – Richard Sidoti, Tree Division Consultant
Administrative Assistant – Christine Hnat

Since tree canopy health is a citywide issue touching on various aspects of community life, the current administration has appointed directors from four areas of the administration, with an emphasis on Public Service (as the Tree Division is ultimately responsible for the planting and maintenance of all city trees), to serve.

The Board meets after the Mayor’s Directors Meeting, every other week as issues arise.

Our overall goal is to have a tree canopy in Parma Heights that is resistant to disease, diverse and beautiful!

Parma Heights Master Tree Plan Update

In 2023, the city contracted with Board Certified Arborist Alan R. Siewert of Bur Oak, LLC to update our Tree Master Plan which was in effect for over 40 years.  Over the decades, many changes had taken place, including but not exclusive to, an increase in general forestry knowledge, development of new species, and the devastation of invasive insects like the Emerald Ash Borer. These changes made it clear that a new, updated Master Tree Plan was needed.

The Updated Tree Master Plan was completed in January, 2024. The new plan is based on a street by street, site by site, analysis of the city called an Urban Site Index which was also conducted by Mr. Siewert as a preliminary to the Master Plan.

Click here to view the Updated Master Tree Plan

In conclusion, the entirety of the City of Parma Heights lies within the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern and in the Cleveland Metroparks Secondary Center Ecosite  –  so attention to our tree canopy is vital not just to our city but to NE Ohio as well!

Our community has been proud to be a member of Tree City USA for over 33 years, and most recently, the city has been the recipient of a Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant from the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission in 2021, 2022, and again in 2023.

Additional Important Tree Information Links:

Taking Care of Your Tree Lawn Tree

Your Tree Questions Answered

Ordinance 1965-29: City Tree Master Plan

Original Tree Master Plan Map

Ordinance #1996-3: Establishing Position of Arborist/Tree Consultant

Ordinance 2005-10 Storm Water Management, Sediment, and Erosion Control and Wetlands Protection