(Reprinted from the Coconut Grove Grapevine, 12-4-18)
One step forward, two steps back
Grove resident, Glenn Terry, reported today that the City of Miami cut down this 20-foot oak tree next to Plaza Street.
For the last two years South Grove neighbors have been trying to get the City of Miami to help them create a small park. It's on public land, four corners where Palmetto Avenue and Plaza Street meet.
"We've just been asking for a few benches and trees", said Glenn Terry, spokesman for the group.
Today, the City did just the opposite. According to Glenn, they came out to cut down a beautiful tree. Also, a small children's shelter that City Commissioner Ken Russell and his son helped build, was destroyed by the city. They were on public land, a part of the Charlie's Woods Project, next to the historic Charlie Cinnamon house.
It took just two hours for city's work crew to cut down the oak tree and level the kid's hut. "It's unbelievable. They broke their own laws by cutting down a healthy, fifteen-year-old tree without notice or a permit. I hope they replace it soon," said Terry adding, "but I wouldn't hold my breath".
_______
Postscript: Two days later I heard from a city official. He said an adjacent neighbor had called his office to complain about the oak tree and the children's hut. She apparently felt threatened by them as "they could attract
homeless people". He added that his employee had a "lapse of judgement" when he leveled everything on that end of the park.
The official added that they intend to replace the tree.
The photo below is the cut-up tree on Plaza Street in Palmetto Plaza Park.
WHAT ??? !!!
ReplyDelete