Have you been down Winifred Street near Chautauqua Park lately? If so, you may have noticed the gradual disappearance of trees. These trees were not diseased, not broken or dangerous. These were healthy, tall and lush trees.
Today (Thursday, April 6), Winifred lost two more of those trees. Why?
Well, according to one city worker who spoke with my husband while taking down the tree in front of our house, it is because the tree’s roots are getting into the pipelines under the street. He also informed my husband that Winifred Street is slated to become a treeless street to prevent any further issues.
Wow. Who made that decision and when was it made?
Did anyone ask for input from the townspeople, from the neighborhood? What options were looked into before the decision was made that chopping down all the trees was the best way to go?
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I am certain that had my husband not confronted that city worker and asked for an explanation, we may never have known the plan. I know that no one notified us or our immediate neighbors of this plan. We just kept watching trees get tagged with a big pink “X”.
I know there are options. I just don’t understand why the city feels this is the best solution. From my husband’s previous work experience, I know there is a process called trenchless pipe lining. In essence, this process causes minimal disruption to the surrounding land, can be done in a short time and not only strengthens the existing pipes, but prevents further disruption from tree roots. Has that been considered? Or does the city not know it’s an option?
I challenge the city to respond to these questions and allow the Winifred Street residents to have some say. It’s hard enough to lose trees when they are diseased or damaged, but when the tree is old, huge and beautiful, it is just sickening.
Worthington has been known for its beautiful parks and trees — let’s come up with a better solution to the tree root problem than just cutting them all down.
Melissa Bradfield
Worthington
The Trust Project
