Public Works unveils ‘lean and dream’ downtown planting plan; council to solicit public feedback

Jeremy Herold, Greenspace Manager for Public Works, presented a downtown master planting and streetscape plan to Harrisonburg City Council on May 26 that frames near-term actions and longer-term design goals for tree canopy, pollinator plantings and improved downtown landscaping.

Herold said the plan—developed with Virginia Tech’s Community Design Assistance Center and informed by staff from several city departments and by examples from Staunton and Fredericksburg—divides work into a 'lean' phase of achievable items and a 'dream' phase of larger‑scale streetscape changes. Focus areas include gateway improvements (statue to statue), a green corridor along Main/Water/Mason streets, Court Square enhancements, park plantings and strategies to increase tree canopy in parking areas.

The plan recommends native plants and pollinator lists for longevity and ecological benefit but allows for testing species given local climate and maintenance constraints. Herold said the greenspace division is three people and that maintenance capacity and budget limits will determine how much of the 'dream' plan can be implemented; staff emphasized they will seek grants and partner with garden clubs and community groups for phased implementation.

Next steps include a public survey in June, plan refinements based on feedback and county consideration in September. Council members raised maintenance concerns, invasive-species avoidance and the possible creation of a small downtown crew to manage plantings. Herold said staff recommend not planting invasive species and will rely on the Virginia DCR invasive species list for guidance.

The plan will return to the council with refined cost and staffing estimates after public comment and design adjustments.