A couple living next to Iroquois Golf Course wants Metro Parks to remove a city tree that fell onto their property during a storm. The homeowner says a city employee explained that it was an “act of God,” so he would be responsible for cleanup. His insurance company won’t help with the bill since the tree didn’t damage his home, and a tree-removal company quoted him $3,250 to remove it.
Norman Smith, who has lived along the 14th fairway of Iroquois Golf Course in Louisville, Ky. for 50 years, is one of many dealing with a mess left behind after recent storms, WAVE reported. So far, 732 tons has been dropped off at the city’s free storm drop off sites.
But, unlike the stray golf balls that have always been a problem, he’s now dealing with something that was unexpected, WAVE reported.
“I don’t have a tree in my yard,” Smith said. “I do now.”
He’s left with a tree, from Iroquois Golf Course, laying in his back yard, WAVE reported. Smith called Metro Parks the Monday following the storm.
“They said they’d get back to me, they never did,” Smith said. “I called back Friday and I got hold of a girl and she said, ‘Well, I talked to my supervisor, and they said it was an act of God, so it’s your responsibility.’”
His insurance company won’t help with the bill since the tree didn’t damage his home, WAVE reported. A tree removal company quoted him $3,250 to remove it.
WAVE News asked Metro Parks why it’s not removing the tree. A spokesperson sent the city’s tree ordinance passed in 2017.
“On Metro Government-owned property and on rights of way, we need to protect our trees in a particular way,” former Council Member Bill Hollander said back in 2017.
That ordinance did a lot, including making property owners living next to public trees responsible for their maintenance, WAVE reported. However public trees do not include trees on park property.
“Been paying on this house for over 50 years, they ought to be able to do something for me,” Smith said.
Smith hopes Metro will remove the fallen tree, WAVE reported. For now though, he’s got a clearer view of the 14th fairway, even though he can’t walk in his backyard.
Metro Parks Interim Director told WAVE he’s connected Smith with Metro’s risk management staff.
A final decision about what can be done has not been made, WAVE reported.
Club + Resort Business‘ popular FAQ section answers the question, “Who Assumes Liability When a Golf Ball Breaks a Window?“
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