'Stop the chop': Protesters want Hawrelak Park rehabilitation halted until more consultation happens
CTV
Dozens of Edmontonians rallied in Hawrelak Park Saturday, demanding the city reassess plans to chop down 220 trees during the upcoming three-year rehabilitation project.
Dozens of Edmontonians rallied in Hawrelak Park Saturday, demanding the city reassess plans to chop down 220 trees during the upcoming three-year rehabilitation project.
Starting March 13, Edmonton's premiere river valley park will close to complete a $133-million renovation the city says are necessary to ensure the greenspace can continue to be enjoyed for generations.
According to the recently released environmental impact report, the trees will be cut down as the city replaces stormwater, sewage, gas and electrical lines beneath the park. Officials say more than 200 will be planted after construction is complete.
"Today, we are standing up for the trees," said Kristine Kowalchuk, Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition chair.
"We had no idea, no one had any idea that 220 trees were supposed to be cut down," Kowalchuk added.
She believes the city needs to explain better why the park must be closed for three years and if other options were explored, like composting toilets or rainwater harvesting to limit "disruptive" pipe installation work.
Some protesters at the rally held signs that read, "Stop the chop," "Hands off the trees," and "Save our park trees."
