Dear Editor:
While many families yearned for opening day in Washington Park on May 3rd, I yearned to see the landscaping, particularly new trees. I think it appropriate to voice appreciation for actual green space around Washington Park and along a stretch of New York Avenue. Of course, that appreciation extends to Mayor Stack. He had informed the public that 100s of trees will be planted in Union City’s Washington Park. Last week I began counting trees and noting their species, a mix of evergreens and mostly ornamental varieties. I will hold Mayor Stack to his number of trees, a very desirable part of enjoying Green Space rather than only Open Space. A single 80 year old- plus tree survived the Union City chain-saw massacre of trees to make way for the new field. It’s living in a corner of the New York Avenue Park Soccer Field, planted by school children in May 1932. I appeal to Mayor Stack to take all measures to preserve this lone survivor. Living but older trees need to be recognized by the city, and preserved for future children to enjoy.
While I applaud Mayor Stack’s tree planting program along our street-scapes and a preservation ordinance, I urge him (and Board of Commissioners) to maximize preserving our distinguished trees as part of an urban forestry project. Hint: Recognition of these large trees could be a central aspect of an Arbor Day celebration in our city. Let’s hope that whenever possible, large-scale tree deaths-chain-saw massacres- for public projects such as sports’ complex also are kept to a bare minimum or avoided in the future.
A very happy city Naturalist,
Raven “Tony” Squire