Jimmie Simpson Park - Tree Tragedy
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You don't realize how much you miss something until it's gone (image)
August 9
Update: An informal community meeting was held on July 4 (see pictures). A consensus was reached that:
i) the tree and the bench around it should be replaced as close as possible to the original location
ii) be as close in design as the original structure
iii) that the new tree be of a certain maturity - a 40 ft tree was lost ... a young sapling would not be acceptable.
A community meeting was held by the city the following week, but not enough officials were in attendance for a quorum and no actions could be taken. Since then, the place where the tree used to be has been sodded over. Local park users have recently noted the absence of soccer games from the park, which apparently was the reason that the tree was removed. Folks are scratching their heads over this one.
At this point, the community awaits an opportuniy to meet with the city to put forth the tree replacement requests outlined above.
Original Blog submissions on the Jimmie Simpson Park Tree Tragedy:
June 28
Near the north end of Jimmie Simpson Park a tall, fine tree stood for many years in the centre of an elevated hexagonal bench, which measured about 10 feet across. The seating area under the shade of the tree was a place where people met to chat with neighbours, and watch their children and dogs play.
One morning near the beginning of June, City workers arrived and proceeded to chop the tree down and feed it into a wood chipping machine, then rip out the hexagonal bench. All this was accomplished within the span of a few hours. No explanation was given, and no public consultations were held prior to this taking place. It was just done, and to this day no-one is sure who gave the order for this to happen. Several people have commented about how difficult it is to get the City's okay to do anything to a tree that sits on your own property, even in the case where it might be ill. Contrast this with the City walking in without any notice and chopping down a perfectly healthy, and much loved tree. Opinions expressed by local residents on this issue have run from shocked disbelief to frustration to outrage.
People assumed at first that perhaps the tree was ill, but apparently this was not the case. A community meeting was held by the City on June 26 for concerned neighbours. Apparently there is some sort of "plan" in place for the park, but details provided at this meeting were sketchy. The City said there was not enough money in the budget to replace the tree and sitting area, but when questioned had no idea as to what the budget actually was. One frustrated resident of Booth Ave. offered to put up $5,000 to replace the tree and bench.
There is speculation that the City is planning to turn the soccer pitch into a Grade A field, and generate income through it. If this is the case, there have been no plans provided to the residents of the area. It is understandable that residents feel frustrated by the lack of communication from the City and the blatent disregard for the opinion of the community on this issue. There is concern that our voices are not being heard, and that "plans" will go ahead without any input from the people that actually live in the neighbourhood.
A
community meeting is planned at the site of the lost tree on Tuesday, July 4, at 7 pm - details below.
If you have thoughts on this issue you would like posted to this website, please submit them through this link.
Jimmie Simpson Park - Before
(satellite image from Google Earth) |
Jimmie Simpson Park - After |
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Blog Comments
Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 01:39:53
name: David Perley
topic: J-S park disappearing tree
thoughts: I'm glad that a grassroots initiative in starting. I'd like to be able to follow as it develops. I may not may the July 4th meeting on time so I hope more will be posted here.
Any news from Paula Fletcher's office?
Paula Fletcher's Office writes:
email #1: Councillor Fletcher was also shocked to hear about the removal of the tree and the bench. Our office was not informed of this until after the fact. We began receiving emails and phone calls from people like yourself who were very upset at the removal. Upon hearing of this, Councillor Fletcher met with some concerned residents, Parks and Rec supervisors, and the Supervisor of Urban Forestry.
There was also a Jimmy Simpson Advisory Committee meeting on Monday where the removal of the tree and bench and some possible solutions were addressed. Councillor Fletcher is working with the advisory group, parks and rec, and urban forestry to come to a solution for the betterment of the park.
email #2: Immediately after the bench was removed and tree cut, Councillor
Fletcher met with a group of residents and staff from Forestry and Parks
and Recreation at Jimmie Simpson Park. The residents voiced their anger
over the lack of consultation and asked that this situation be
rectified.
On Monday June 26th, the Jimmie Simpson Community Advisory Committee
held a meeting. The park bench and tree were at the top of the agenda.
It was agreed that the community would meet and decide where to put the
replacement tree and bench (many expressed a desire to place the same
type of tree and bench at the previous location).
If you would like to participate in this process please contact Janice
Lachapelle at jantech@sympatico.ca
Yours truly,
Pat Chastang
Constituency Assistant
June 29, 2006 at 10:40:58
name: Andrea Morris
topic: tree tragedy
thoughts: I think it is incredibly sad when a perfectly healthy tree can be removed from a public park without consulting any of the residents. Rumour has it the tree was removed to create a larger soccer area. This makes the tree removal even more vile, as it was done to appease people who don't use the park on a daily basis and don't even live in the neighborhood. We need to band together and make our voices heard in order to protect our park!!
Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 16:22:58
name: Oscar
topic: Removal of Tree at Jimmie Simpson park
thoughts: It is unfortunate that the City has removed this much loved tree and gathering spot. This is typical of the City, hypocrytical and only active if it benefits themselves..ie. money. Try asking the City to do something that it justified and you'll be waiting for a long time. Throw money in their face and it's done that day. Why isn't our Mayor involved? Perhaps the City should work on our off-leash area!! Shame on you Mayor Miller, Shame Shame.
Friday, June 30, 2006 at 09:55:26
name: Melissa
topic: Jimmie Simpson Park use
thoughts: I am very glad that there is some community action gathering through this abuse of our parks. Through this initiative and the issues that are being raised around park usage and who has the rights to claim park space, I have seen more neighbourhood awareness and action being taken to ensure that we live in a safe and responsible area.
We need to take a stand as to what is done in and around our neighbourhood or else sit back and allow the abuse of drugs, speeding cars, and outsiders coming in to dirty our parks and control our lives.
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 10:07:45 AM
Subject: Jimmie Simpson Park usage
AN OPEN NOTE TO COUNCILLOR PAULA FLETCHER:
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 11:07:18 AM
Subject: Re: Jimmie Simpson Park usage
Dear Ms Fletcher,
Please help us to maintain control over what goes on in our neighbourhood. I am a responsible park user, one who is in the park daily, everyday of the year, and not just in the parks seasonally. There are a number of very responsible people who enjoy this park with their dogs and children and friends who live in the neighbourhood who have taken initiative to chase away drug users, to go after irresponsible dog owners, loiterers and vagrants. These very people are now in the process of being chased away from our park, so that (as rumours go), soccer players who live elsewhere and are only around for a very short period during the year, can run around chasing a ball, requesting trees to be cut down, leave their litter and take away the space from the neighbourhood users.
We do not want exclusive rights to the park, we are quite happy to share the park through responsible and friendly interactions with all. I have seen very successful interactions between 20 dog owners and their pets, a baseball game, tennis, basketball and soccer players, kids, picnickers, etc. All in one space and all without incidents. Let us make this the rule rather than the exception. We can share our parks and live together, we all deserve rights.
I am very glad that there is some community action gathering through this abuse of our parks. Through this initiative and the issues that are being raised around park usage and who has the rights to claim park space, I have seen more neighbourhood awareness and action being taken to ensure that we live in a safe and responsible area. We need to take a stand as to what is done in and around our neighbourhood or else sit back and allow the abuse of drugs, speeding cars, and outsiders coming in to dirty our parks to control our lives.
Sincerely,
Melissa Roht
Monday, July 3, 2006 at 11:52:08
name: Janice Lachapelle
July 4 Meeting Regarding "Tree Tragedy in Jimmie Simpson Park"
Hi all,
Purpose and goal of the meeting for Tuesday July 4, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the site of the cut down tree in Jimmy Simpson Park is to come up with a common and agreed to plan for the replacement of the tree and the seating that was provided by the planter (which surrounded the tree). As residences and users of the park this plan will be presented to the department of Parks and Recreation.
Everyone is welcome to attend and have his or her suggestions heard. This meeting is going forward to be proactive to get the replacement done.
I, Janice La Chapelle and Frank Ruffo, have volunteered to co-chair a sub-community group representing the residences and users of the park for the Jimmie Simpsons Community Advisory Council.
Please contact Janice Lachapelle for further details at: jantech@sympatico.ca
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