Members of the public heard chainsaws running in Maple Ridge Park, and were soon complaining that trees are again being cut in the city’s oldest park.
Maple Ridge city hall described the cutting as both necessary and measured.
According to Chad Neufeld, the city manager of parks planning and development, the tree removal is part of the coming $2.3 million upgrade to the playground facilities at the park.
READ ALSO: Council approves over $2.3 million for Maple Ridge Park playground
City arboriculture staff have been monitoring the existing trees in and around the playground at the oldest park in the city for a number of years, Neufeld explained, as these trees “continue to be in a state of notable decline.”
As part of the early project planning for the playground expansion project, a certified arborist conducted a tree risk assessment and report, which recommended removal of 10 trees at the playground. Their hazard rating continues to increase due to their state of decline, he said.
Seven trees were removed this week, rather than the 10 originally proposed, said Neufeld. The three other potentially hazardous trees will continue to be monitored throughout the construction process.
The remaining mature trees around the existing playground area will be retained and monitored through the construction process, and will continue to provide the shady play experience Maple Ridge Park is known for, he added.
And there are plans to replace the fallen trees.
“Understanding that the natural beauty and ecosystem is an important part of Maple Ridge Park, 15 new trees will be planted to mitigate the loss of the existing ones, and to enrich the tree canopy of the park,” he said.
It’s one of the most popular parks in the city, and people are passionate about preserving the stately trees. At the end of 2022, the public complained about the removal of trees in the park, along Fern Crescent. There were taken down as the city built a new traffic circle and multi-use pathway along the route.
“The park is sacred. It’s been in Maple Ridge since the 1920s, and we’re ruining it,” said Heather Sartorius at the time.
The city responded with an announcement that the forest canopy in the area would be restored by the planting of 670 new trees, along with thousands of shrubs and native plants.
READ ALSO: City of Maple Ridge plans planting after work along Fern Crescent