Park playscape reopening postponed

AUSTIN (KXAN) - After about 30 trees were originally slated to be cut down at Zilker Park, only three will see the forester's axe for now.

But the job, scheduled to be finished Monday, will now take until Tuesday. The playscape should reopen Wednesday. 

Monday night, a Parks and Recreation Department subcommittee heard more recommendations from an arborist and gave the okay for crews to remove two more park trees.

The parks department also outlined a new plan that would set up a fund for donations to save the trees. The department would use the money to hire an arborist to oversee the pruning and maintenance of all the trees at Zilker Park.

City arborists said the first three trees were beyond saving and posed a safety risk because they were situated above the Zilker Park playground. The move comes after much public outcry to save the trees.

"You just hate to see a tree go," said Austinite Jerry Webb.

It's a hard sight to see for many Austinites who have come to this park for years.

"Probably like a lot of Austinites, you hate to see any trees cut down," said Webb. “It's part of why people live here."

Austin Parks & Recreation officials said they knew many folks did not want to see them go. They listened to public comments for months before making their decision.

"We have passionate citizens that want their trees to stay,” said Parks & Recreation Program Manager Victor Ovalle. "We are very fortunate. We have so many people who care about the environment."

City officials said they had no choice but to chop down the trees. They were getting too old and in danger of toppling over and possibly injuring someone.

“It's critical," said Ovalle. "Public safety is our No. 1 concern. We want people to come out to the park but to have a safe outing."

Back in April, Austin's Parks & Recreation Department recommended removing almost 30 high-risk trees in Zilker Park.

However, the City decided to hold off on removing the trees after many people protested. Instead, it hired several independent arborists to examine the trees and provide their own assessments.

In the end, the City only decided to cut three trees but said a few more could possibly be on the chopping block.

After being closed due to high-risk trees since April, Austin Parks and Recreation spokesman Victor Ovalle said Monday night that cutting down the first three trees will continue through Tuesday, with the playscape scheduled to reopen Wednesday.