A number of trees have been marked for removal along the north side of Bushnell Park. Three in the area near the playground by Jewell Street are slated to come down, along with three in the space where Trinity Street splits behind the arch, three from the park entrance across from High Street, and seven near the entrance across from Pearl Street.
Heather Dionne, Hartford’s City Forester, has said in an email that the reason for this removal is the Bushnell Park North project “which includes widening of the roadway and sidewalks.”
Proponents of the Intermodal Triangle Project have previously claimed that this exact area would go on a “road diet,” which would mean a narrowing of the roadway.
Dionne said that there are “individuals inquiring and protesting the work,” which means that she will be conducting a public hearing at a date to be announced. People will be able to learn and speak about the potential tree removal; a decision will be made following that hearing.
Richard
I checked it out today. I do not understand why all trees (7) are to be removed from the entrance across from Pearl St. The trees are in quite a way from the road and form a nice grouping as they stand. Are the powers that be planning some grand entrance with somebody’s name on it in this area? Well we need the trees more. The other trees near the Arch seem to be in very good health and also present a nice grove. I am going to write a letter to the city on behalf of these trees and hope that the plans can be looked over and some other design implemented. I have no quarrel with removing the large tree near the pond that is in bad shape but the one near to it is very sick and not tagged. Unless they can come up with a better excuse for cutting down the trees than stroking this generation of city planners egos then I will have to protest the removal of these trees.