Tree huggers save oak from construction project
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The oak tree at Coral Reef Park. Photo: Courtesy of Pam Gorman
Residents of Palmetto Bay are claiming victory after the village said it would save a large oak tree at Coral Reef Park, which had been slated for removal to build a new recreation center.
Why it matters: Palmetto Bay is a Tree City USA municipality, and residents say the mature oak symbolizes the "community's heritage and natural beauty."
The latest: A planned protest was canceled Wednesday after Mayor Karyn Cunningham announced on Instagram that the new park facility could be moved to protect the "majestic tree."
- "She certainly is a beauty, and I'm very grateful to all the folks that reached out to chat with me," she said in the video.
Zoom in: The 5,000-square-foot rec center — budgeted at just over $4.5 million — will require the removal of several trees at the park, Cunningham tells Axios.
- She says she wasn't aware until last week that the oak tree would be among those.
Between the lines: Emails and calls from residents over the past week led her to ask the village manager to consider saving it, Cunningham says.
- She says the project team met with her at the park Tuesday to discuss moving the facility 10 feet away from the tree, which doesn't require an additional vote.
Friction point: Some residents have criticized Cunningham for supporting the project, knowing it would require tree removal and only changing course under public pressure.
- "While the mayor may try to take credit, it was the residents … who secured this victory for Palmetto Bay's precious trees," resident Mark Merwitzer wrote in a statement.
- The resident group A Better Palmetto Bay emailed the community Wednesday under the subject line, "Cunningham's Chainsaws Silenced!"
The other side: Cunningham tells Axios she "took action as soon as I became aware."
- "It's always a good thing when residents are claiming victory. That's what we're here for."
Resident Pam Gorman, who created a petition to save the tree, tells Axios it's rare for the village to give in to resident demands.
- "I think that changing their course was the right thing to do."
What's next: The village will take submissions to name the oak tree, which now has a blue ribbon wrapped around its trunk.