Augusta Bureau of Parks, Cemeteries and Trees – Augusta, ME

Augusta Bureau of Parks, Cemeteries and Trees

Bureau Overview

The Augusta Bureau of Parks, Cemeteries and Trees functions as the primary steward of the city’s ”green infrastructure.” Operating within the Department of Community Services, this bureau is responsible for the care and maintenance of the city’s public landscape, which includes over 1,400 acres of parkland, 17 city-owned cemeteries, and thousands of street trees. The division is led by the Director of Parks and Recreation, who also serves as the designated City Tree Warden. This dual role ensures a cohesive approach to urban forestry, guaranteeing that public trees on city streets and in parks are properly pruned, planted, and protected to enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal and environmental health.

Core Responsibilities

The bureau’s operations cover a wide array of landscaping and maintenance duties crucial for the city’s appearance and safety:

• Urban Forestry: Management of the city’s tree canopy, including the planting of new saplings, trimming of hazardous limbs, and removal of dead or diseased trees from public right-of-ways.
• Cemetery Administration: Operation and maintenance of 17 municipal cemeteries (such as Mt. Hope and Riverside), including lot sales, burial coordination, and groundskeeping.
• Public Groundskeeping: Landscaping and beautification of high-visibility areas like the Rotary Circles (Cony and Memorial), City Hall grounds, and monument sites.
• Emergency Response: Clearing fallen trees and debris from public streets and parks following severe weather events.

Contact and Access

The administrative office is located at Augusta City Hall, 16 Cony Street. While the field crews operate throughout the city, residents should direct inquiries regarding street trees, cemetery plots, or park maintenance to this central office. The bureau works closely with the Augusta Tree Board, a citizen advisory group, to develop policies and community initiatives related to the city’s urban forest.