Island Tree Expert Olaf Ribeiro is circulating a letter today, February 24, through Islanders for Responsible Development expressing his concern that the latest version of the design being considered for Waterfront Park shows widespread cutting of the trees at the park. Ribeiro explained that he wasn’t sure from the design, but “It appears from their drawing that all the trees on the western third of the park will be cut. Both the upper and lower areas. 80+ years worth of tree growth will be gone and it would take to the year 2100 to regain what the City planners are proposing.”
Bill Grimes, Principal at Studio Cascade, the Spokane-based firm tasked with managing the design process which has been very involving of the community, had a quick answer: “We don’t know.” He explained that they will need to do some kind of survey on the existing trees, and he said that there will be some “grading needed that might impact some trees.”
He added that the western third of the design is where there is the greatest opportunity for tie in with Winslow. It is where the dock currently is and will continue to be located and the site of the greatest proposed park activity. But he added that they have tried to be sensitive in the design work to tree plantings: “The design might risk some of the trees, but we’re trying to be careful.” He added, “Tree preservation communicates a great deal of character in that park.”
Grimes also said that one of the wishes that has come up a great deal in the community workshops is for there to be a view of the water. He said, “We’re trying to find a workable balance point.”
Grimes was not aware of the proposed Visconsi development at 305 and High School and the potential removal of over 800 trees from that site.
In his letter, Ribeiro wrote, “Trees are being removed again. I will be attending the meeting of the DRB this afternoon to voice my concerns even though it seems to do little good. Does anyone in the city care about trees anymore? The only park we have within the city and it’s being reduced to mostly pavement. They need to change the name of this park to Waterfront Recreation Center.”
Grimes emphasized that, throughout the process, they have been solicitous of community input, and he expressed eagerness to hear more from people about this issue. Share your view with Grimes and with landscape architect Dean Koontz of HBB this afternoon at the Design Review Board meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting will run from 2 to 5 p.m. Click here to see the draft plans for the park.
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Photo by Julie Hall.