Chelsey Mutter The naturalization of Vernon creek which runs through Polson Park is slated to begin on Monday, and park goers and residents are sounding the alarm over the mature trees being cut down. The city says work will transform the existing concrete lined creek into a natural watercourse with improved fish habitats, enhanced water quality and increased floodplain capacity. People say they would like to see the city try to complete the work without removing the trees.
“I’m very concerned about all of these trees that are getting taken out for, apparently, creek rerouting and the bike path and they're saying fish habitat,” said concerned resident Brad Croteau. “I don't believe you need to take out all these big, beautiful trees to be able to do something like that, there's got to be another plan in there, besides leveling everything.” Another concerned resident, Peter Bulla says he’s experienced many properties in his life and believes there’s a way to work on the creek without needing to remove all of the trees.
“Any machine operator with a little bit of skill could take this and clean this up without damaging any tree. And some of these trees are 70 years old, plus,” said Bulla. It’s not clear exactly how old the trees are, a city press release calls the trees “mature”.
Croteau, who’s about 60 years-old, says he grew up in Vernon and can remember the trees in the park being this old even when he was a kid. Historical photos of Polson Park from.
