Arlington Conservation Commission Votes to Remove Redwood Trees: Report

ARLINGTON, MA — The Arlington Conservation Commission has voted to approve the final portion of the renovation to Magnolia Park, which includes the removal of two dawn redwood trees to make way for the expansion of a community garden, according to a report by the Arlington Advocate.

The commission voted 4 to 2 in favor of the final portion of the renovation project during its meeting on July 21, reported the Arlington Advocate . The Parks and Recreation commission determined that the expansion of the gardens would not be possible without the removal of the garden.

"We're not out to cut trees down, but we're responsible for 27 parks and playgrounds in Arlington," Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jennifer Rothenberg told Patch in a previous interview."We have to make sure we have variation and parks that work for the community as a whole."

On June 16, the Conservation Commission approved the renovation plans for the park excluding the the removal of the trees. The Parks and Recreation Commission later brought the proposal back to the Conservation Commission on July 14 for a public hearing in which many residents spoke out against the removal of the tree.

A petition to Rothenberg and former Recreation Department director Joseph Connelly to save the Magnolia Tree garnered 526 supporters, according to Change.org.

Read more from the Arlington Advocate here.

The Conservation Commission and Save Arlington Redwoods neighborhood group were not immediately available for comment.

Photo Credit: Saving the Redwood Tree During Magnolia Renovations Change.Org Petition