Gary Removes Storm-Damaged Trees in Marquette Park
City crews cleared trees damaged by the Aug. 11 derecho, drawing a resident petition seeking a pause on removals.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Severe Weather
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City officials in Gary removed trees in Marquette Park after the Aug. 11 derecho caused widespread power outages and winds reaching 99 mph in the area. Residents responded with an online petition calling for a pause on non-emergency tree removals and mechanized woodland clearing.
Why it matters
The removals affect the city's park canopy and how Gary handles storm recovery and FEMA reimbursement. The petition reflects resident concern over the pace of work and the level of public communication from the city's parks department.
The city reports that a certified arborist reviewed each tree and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers verified the removed trees met FEMA's criteria, while the derecho produced winds reaching 99 mph in the park area. An online petition had gathered nearly 200 signatures, but the number of trees removed and the work's total cost were not reported.
The players
Michael Suggs
Suggs is a public official who addressed the Board of Parks Commissioners about the Marquette Park tree removals.
Carol Smith
Smith is a Gary resident who said the parks department should have communicated more openly about park work before petitions and rumors spread.
The details
City crews removed trees that had been uprooted, were leaning, or had suffered significant breakage after the Aug. 11 derecho. The city also hired Thompson Incorporated to assist with its FEMA reimbursement application and AshBritt to help collect storm debris, while resident Carol Smith said the parks department should have been more vocal about the work.
Timeline
Aug. 11, 2026: Derecho causes widespread power outages and tree damage in Gary.
Monday: Lynn Reidl posts a Change.org petition calling for a pause on removals.
Tuesday: Michael Suggs addresses the Board of Parks Commissioners about the removals.
Seasonal Patterns
The removals follow the Aug. 11 derecho and are being measured against FEMA's criteria for storm-damaged trees, a federal standard that governs whether cities can seek reimbursement for post-storm cleanup. The petition reflects a broader local debate over how quickly storm-damaged urban woodland should be cleared versus preserved.
Residents who want to weigh in on the tree removals can raise concerns at public meetings of the Board of Parks Commissioners. Those with storm-damaged trees on private property should confirm which removals are eligible for FEMA assistance before scheduling work.
The takeaway
Storm recovery in parks involves balancing fast hazard removal against public trust and canopy preservation. Clear, early communication from city departments can reduce the rumors and petitions that follow tree work.
Further reading
For more on how storms are tracked and reported, see Severe Weather coverage for Gary.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nwitimes.
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