City makes improvements along North Harborview Drive; replaces trees and pavers

With spring approaching quickly, the Gig Harbor Public Works Department is doing some sprucing up along city streets.

Recently, workers from the department replaced overgrown trees and repaired sidewalks along North Harborview Drive.

“We put in the proper sized planters, and replaced the curbs and cleaned it up,” said Greg Foote, Public Works superintendent.

The trees along the street had begun raising the sidewalk pavement and presenting a tripping hazard to pedestrians, Foote said.

The replacement trees — which are European Hornbeams — will grow in their planters without raising the sidewalk as they expand, said Dan Lilley, field supervisor and the city arborist.

“It’s a good downtown tree,” he said, adding that this species of tree have also been planted along Harborview in front of Skansie Park.

The pavers used around the trees are unique and were found by Lilley, who was opposed to the idea of using traditional cement pavers because he was afraid the trees would die without water.

Called Ultrablock pavers, they are pervious and able to “drink” a gallon of water a second, Lilley said, allowing water to leave the sidewalk and reach the tree.

The pavers can be easily removed if maintenance is needed and have also increased the walking area on the sidewalk.

“They’re kind of a neat deal because it lets the water soak in through the whole planter area and it allows people to walk on them,” Foote said.

This story was originally published March 10, 2016 at 11:38 AM with the headline "City makes improvements along North Harborview Drive; replaces trees and pavers."