Residents of an east-end St. John’s neighbourhood say they’re frustrated after the city went on a tree-planting spree in a well-used park.
The tree planting is a part of the federal government’s initiative at reducing emissions and increasing carbon sequestration.
A photo of Tupper Laurier Park shared on social media shows numerous trees planted along a green space leading up to some playground equipment.
I would have loved for this plan to have been communicated with the residents surrounding Tupper Laurier park. We would have asked if the grass around the trees will be mowed or will it grow like the other side? There are so few usable open spaces in the city. Why fill this one? pic.twitter.com/xawbZTbK67
— Dana Noseworthy (@danamagoo) July 13, 2021
Area resident Emma Peddle says the new trees are taking up the entire space, which many children and adults alike use for various physical activities and gatherings. She says they’re not opposed to having trees planted there, but they’re against how many have been planted and their location. According to Peddle, eventually when all of the trees are fully grown their open space will be a “forest.”
She says they would like to see the trees moved to make the space usable again.
In response, Councillor Sandy Hickman tweeted that he made a proposal to council to have the trees moved, however, there was “no support” for various reasons.
As an update- I circulated a photo pres. and a proposal to council to take up & move the 45 trees in the level areas near Laurier. There was no support, for various reasons. I am sorry. All agreed that Sliding hill will not be planted, which is great. https://t.co/AW3tQuqC6O
— Sandy Hickman (@SandyHAtLarge) July 14, 2021
Warmest Greetings @bernardjdavis, @JackHarrisNDP.
After inquiries, our St. John’s Ward 1 Councillor @DeanneStapleto2 has informed our neighbourhood that this action in Municipal Spaces is a Provincial/Federal effort… We turn our questions to you then… pic.twitter.com/c6CBM5Ospl— Andrew Halliday (@aahalliday) July 9, 2021
Only a year ago the city was promoting visits to playgrounds and open spaces, even featuring Tupper Laurier Playground in a campaign called Get Into It.
Meanwhile, a change.org petition has been started to get back the green space.
Help us save our beautiful open green space! https://t.co/CzlGbW8hxT
— Emma Peddle (@emmaporter) July 19, 2021
