A lesson in the value of trees

A lesson of the value of trees

Dear Mr. Mayor, City Council, and City Staff,

Please find a different location within the Travers Park complex for the new James E. Russell Sports Center (pickleball/tennis).

The planned location requires the removal of healthy shade trees and the demolition of an awesome playground. As a community member, park user, natural resource professional, and taxpayer, I am wholeheartedly against the decision to use state grant money, park budget, and staff resources to build a new playground elsewhere in the park. It is a frivolous use of our budget, time, and resources.

The existing playground, surrounded by lots of shaded open space, is invaluable and cannot simply be replaced and moved. I have studied community design, land use planning, and sustainable natural resource management for 20 years, and this decision goes against everything I have learned and educated the public on.

The value of trees is also a lesson that has been drilled into most of us since childhood. Natural shade is paramount to good playground and park design, and it has a value that is incalculable in the bidding process. Best management practices tell you to always preserve existing vegetation when possible. And in this case, it is very possible, with acres of alternative building locations.

The initial site evaluation would normally call out the mature cluster of healthy trees and busy playground as an area to be protected, circled brightly with a "do not disturb" note. I am honestly baffled that it was instead selected as the most appropriate location for the new building.

The existing trees were planted in that location around the playground to one day, many years later, provide shade and create the great park experience we enjoy today. And it's a beautiful and unique design situated perfectly with a vantage point to many other activities in the park. A big thank you to the IDPR Land and Water Conservation Grant for making it happen.

With so many alternative locations for your new pickleball/tennis facility within the Travers Park complex, changing the location is very doable and will save money, valuable resources, and prevent community conflict. I have not heard of anyone opposed to a new location for the building and adding new features and upgrades to the existing playground where it lies ... other than city council and staff. It may seem difficult to change the plan, but I can guarantee you that it is worth any inconvenience.

There is, without a doubt, a way to achieve all objectives within the park, resulting in a positive outcome and good design for all. We can have a sports facility and sit in the shade too! The community is depending on you to do the hard work on this. No one wants to bear the burden of having those trees cut down for no reason at all.

Thank you very much for seriously considering this.

MOLLY McCAHON

Sandpoint