Push to save trees at Waterloo Park

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A massive live oak, believed to be more than 100 years old, sits smack dab in the middle of the new stormwater tunnel project that starts at Waterloo Park in downtown Austin. It is just one of more than two dozen trees the city is talking about removing before construction begins on the Waller Creek Tunnel Project.

The City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Director Sara Hensley said at one time about 100 trees were going to be impacted in the park.

After walking from tree to tree with independent arborists and city staff members, Hensley said there are now only about 40 trees that could be compromised.

Tuesday night, a dozen people circled around the city's preliminary plan sketched out on a large white board propped against a Chinquapin Oak tree that is also set for removal.

"Quite a few of the trees scheduled for removal are actually not particularly valuable trees and many of the ones they're scheduling for preservation are trees worth preserving," said Guy LeBlanc, and independent arborist called into help assess the trees.

LeBlanc said some of the trees are also invasives, such as hackberries and crape myrtles. The hottest summer on record also took its toll. LeBlanc said many of the trees are half dead.

"Many pecans and elms are scheduled for removal," said LeBlanc. "Many of those pecans and elms are not in very good condition."

All of the trees in question are located in the south portion of the park where construction is set to begin in 2011 on a 2-story stormwater intake facility. It will send water down a mile long tunnel to Lake Bird Lake, and also have the ability to pump water out of the lake and fill the creek during the dry season.

"The very large building is a little bit of a concern to me and the re-grading," said Shannon Halley who serves on the city's Urban Forestry Board.

She is happy to hear the city plans on planting additional trees to replace the ones that will have to be removed.

"I think parks and recreation has gotten a lot better about public process and they're really engaging citizens from the beginning and I think hopefully that will avoid some of the pitfalls that we had at Barton Springs," said Halley.

The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Director Sara Hensley wanted to start on the right foot this time.

"Where we can save our significant trees -- the pecans, the oaks -- we want to do that," said Hensley. "And may even mean transplanting, which is costly."

Tree care is also planned during construction. Teams will be checking the soil on a regular basis to minimize harm, and ensure trees are not under abnormal stress.

"Saving the trees we have and creating more canopy for the future, " said Hensley. "I think this city's doing it right."

For more information on the Waller Creek Tunnel Project click here.