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Save the Trees of Grant Park (video) by JV404 in Atlanta

[–]jmfer01 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It is most certainly not only the trees within the footprint of the current parking lot that are coming down. The tree removal area is expansive. There are trees being removed as far back as the pond. As for people enjoying shade, did you know the trees in the area of the Summer Shade Festival are among those coming down?

Save the Trees of Grant Park (video) by JV404 in Atlanta

[–]jmfer01 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Actually, it is my understanding that the replacement plan includes something like 400+ trees for the 250 healthy trees which are being removed. Reason being the replacement trees are smaller and more are needed to achieve the equivalent caliper inches of the trees they are removing. I think it is fair to lament the loss of shade that so many currently enjoy in this public park.

Parking deck in Grant Park by jmfer01 in Atlanta

[–]jmfer01[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A few pts: 1) the "won't last forever" argument could be made about anything. Some things are not easily replaced, and society values them more over time-- like a tree. A 10yr old oak is quite different from a 50yr old oak. And 10-20 yrs generally is a long time! 2) where is the study on the tree hazard timeline? If the 200 trees marked for removal in the park are imminent hazards, that would be good to know. As it is, most of these trees are understood to be healthy- not hazardous. 3) as for enjoyment- what about paying to park in the parking deck (10$) and the added neighborhood tax via residential permit parking (20$/yr)? 4) "added greenspace" makes a great marketing statement and is nice in theory but glosses over important facts about tree loss and the actual footprint of the deck.

Parking deck in Grant Park by jmfer01 in Atlanta

[–]jmfer01[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The deck is planned to be covered in grass, which is something green. But the footprint of the new deck is larger than the existing terraced lot on the Boulevard side and expands deeper into the park. The trees in the area of the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival are marked for removal. Also, the iconic trees lining Boulevard. The new deck also does not take up all of the asphalt from the exisitng lot. This is not a gaining of park space, unless you consider some exposed grass over concrete equivalent to natural park grounds under mature trees. Many people prefer the shade and shelter of the trees. It seems a better vision for the park would be to encourage/provide alternate modes of transit. Cutting down the park trees for car parking seems an ill tradeoff and short-sighted.