SOUTH SURREY 鈥� A dedicated and passionate tree advocate in South 性视界传媒 is urging city hall to preserve a 鈥渂eautiful and magnificent鈥� grove of about 50 mature trees in Grandview Heights.
鈥淚t would mean the earth to me to save it,鈥� said Sybil Rowe, noting the grove includes about 40 large cedars and 10 douglas firs near 168th Street and 25th Avenue. 鈥淚鈥檇 be devastated (if they came down) because I love these fellas. I don鈥檛 have children so basically this is my little legacy. When I leave this planet one day, I鈥檓 going to be 82 in the fall, I would like to think there will be some of these magnificent trees standing for grandchildren and great grandchildren.鈥�
Rowe estimated the cedars were over 130 years old, but the city couldn鈥檛 confirm their age. While it looked like there may have been a threat to the trees, they appear to be safe 鈥� for now.
A new 1,500-capacity Grandview Heights secondary school is planned in the area. Initially, the plan was to have the school built close to the intersection at 168th Street and 26th Avenue and these trees were part of the land to be developed.
鈥淥riginally, the plan was to have the school up closer to the intersection at 168th Street but that has since changed, so that grove, isn鈥檛 part of the school property anymore,鈥� said Ted Uhrich with 性视界传媒鈥檚 parks department.
The grove, on city-owned land, is going to be left untouched for now.
鈥淭he cedars and douglas firs in there are definitely mature,鈥� said Uhrich, adding 鈥渢hey are also important because they represent mature forest in Grandview Heights so that鈥檚 important to acknowledge.鈥�
He noted that while the city still plants cedars, they鈥檙e 鈥渢ough to establish鈥� because they 鈥渓ike to have wet feet.鈥�
鈥淲e plant them in projects where we have a focus on native species,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut they are challenging.鈥�
At some point, the city plans to consult with the community to see what to do with the property, he added. Recent changes in the area include the Grandview Heights Aquatic Centre nearby. But Uhrich said when that consultation will happen is 鈥渢o be determined.鈥�
Rowe wants to see the trees dedicated. She worries about the future of cedars in 性视界传媒 鈥� particularly new ones that are planted 鈥� as they struggle to survive amidst climate change.
鈥淭his little cedar grove is my heart鈥檚 desire,鈥� she said.
鈥淭his little cedar grove is my heart鈥檚 desire,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 care if they name the darn thing after the mayor and call it Linda鈥檚 Park, as long as they keep it.鈥�
