It’s often the one thing many would argue you can never have too many of. Trees.They come as a welcome balance to a concrete jungle. But some of the people living across from a green space in the community of Brentwood say they don’t want them planted in their neighbourhood.
“They want to make this a forest instead of a park and don’t seem to be concerned with residents at all.”
Tracy Schaeffler says there was no community consultation that she was aware of. She’s worried it has the potential to invite crime.
“More trees is going to make more places for people to hide.”
The residents say they’ve already had concerns about so-called “urban campers” that seek shelter in the shrubs.
Ian Burgess grew up in this community and is now raising his own son here.
“I’ve seen shopping carts and we have gone through the bushes where there’s living areas.”
Burgess says he’s concerned about his neighbours.
“We have elderly neighbuors that have been broken into when they go to church and this is the last thing they wanted.”
The City of Calgary is planting 15 trees there. It’s a plan that’s part of a ReTree program. The lead of urban forestry, Jeanette Wheeler, says despite the opposition, elm, larch and spruce will be planted there.
“Some of the trees there are getting older. This is replacing canopy and refreshing it as well,” Wheeler said, adding it won’t entice criminals and instead will do the opposite.
“It’s not going to increase or decrease homeless camps. There is no evidence of that. More trees reduces crimes.”
City officials maintain there was robust community consultation and the majority in the Brentwood neighbourhood supported it.
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