The Missing Trees of Church Avenue

I am asking for your help in getting two trees replaced on Church Avenue.

In the photo to the left, you can see two trees that have had a rough time fitting into Bobby’s construction setting over the last couple of years. The scaffolding is accommodating the trees. But it seems the trees’ luck ran out. Last week they were removed by the Parks Department.

When we asked the construction guys at Bobby’s, they explained that the “city got a call about sick trees and came and determined the trees were damaged and took them away.” A reporter inquired with the Parks Dept and he got this note from them:

We received calls about two trees in poor condition at 1626 Church Av and our inspection confirmed the presence of two 10” Honey locusts that were in poor condition. We removed both trees on 5/23/12.

It sounds like the plan was to replace them in a couple of years.

But the timing of the event is really curious. The removal of the trees coincided perfectly with Bobby’s new concrete pour. So a few days later there is no evidence trees were ever there.

It is hard to imagine the city tearing new holes in the concrete and brickwork of the new landscaping two years from now. And indeed, a rep from Parks Dept explained they have begun an “investigation” into the allegations that the holes were concreted over right away.

I need to be upfront about my history with Bobby’s. We have been neighbors for 14 years and there have been a lot of ups and downs. I am hoping to enlist the help of my neighbors in getting the trees replaced. And hoping to avoid getting distracted by a larger discussion of corporate citizenry. The Brooklyn Daily did a piece on this subject and while the piece is well written, the comments section quickly digressed to a debate over the store itself.

We are hoping to keep the spotlight on simply inspiring the city to replace the trees ASAP. If neighbors could place a 311 to remind the Parks Dept that we want the trees they took from 1626 Church Ave back and are not going to forget about them, it would be appreciated.

While this may seem like a lot of noise over a couple of trees, for those of us who live right here and are experiencing the new stores opening, elements of civility like trees are important. For me photo of the 99¢ City wall represents the change coming to Church Ave. A couple weeks ago a bunch of volunteers painted all the gang graffiti off of that wall. It looks great. To lose the trees right there a few days later just seemed a step back.

If you are up for placing a reminder call to 311 or making a request for a new tree online, it would be great.

Thanks again.

About the author: Nathan Thompson is a resident of Prospect Park South, and is the Assistant Secretary of the 70th Precinct Community Council.