Daily Local News – February 1, 2004

By Jessica M. McRorie, Staff Writer

WEST CHESTER – A tree grows in Veterans Memorial Park – and because of the work of one borough resident, it will continue growing there.

The tree, a cottonwood estimated to be 125 to 150 years old, was slated for removal as a part of renovations scheduled for the park sometime this summer, said West Chester Recreation Director Shelagh Purnell.

"Basically it was the size of the tree and the branches. There was a decision that it might be better to take the tree down," said Purnell.

The park, which is located just off West Washington and West Biddle streets, will have new swing sets, play equipment and a pavilion added to the property this summer. Pruning for the pocket park’s trees was also on the list in addition to the removal of the cottonwood.

But Scott Smith, 30, an environmental engineer, came forward and pleaded the case of the cottonwood after hearing about the removal during a borough Parks and Recreation Committee meeting he said.

"I always liked the tree," said Smith. "I couldn’t believe it" when he heard that it was going to be removed.

Smith, who lives in the 400 block of North New Street, just blocks from the park, is also a member of Friends of Veterans Memorial Park. The group, which formed more than two years ago, has worked to clean up the park and raise funds for the improvements.

Smith first saw the tree four years ago during a walk through the park, he said.

"The tree was the one thing that stood out," said Smith.

The tree is more than 100 feet tall and is about 16 feet in circumference, he said.

After speaking to other members of Friends of Veterans Memorial Park who also felt that the tree should remain, he decided to approach the borough and ask for it to not be cut down, he said.

"They were very receptive," said Smith.

Smith, who was present at Monday night’s Parks and Recreation meeting, was congratulated for his efforts to save the tree by borough Councilwoman Maria Chesterton.

"I do want to congratulate Mr. Smith for coming forward," said Chesterton.

With the tree remaining, it will mean that the play equipment will be moved north by a few feet, said Purnell.

"It was an easy thing to move the play equipment forward," she said.

In order to preserve the cottonwood, which has several hollow areas in the branches, cables will be installed and the dead wood will be pruned out of the tree for safety precautions, said borough urban forester Denise Dunn Kesterson.

The dead wood was last pruned out of the tree approximately two years ago, she said.

The decision to not cut down the tree will save the borough money, said Purnell.

The removal of the tree and the maintenance and pruning of the remainder of the park trees was budgeted for $3,600, she said. With the removal of the tree now not a factor, that cost will be reduced.

Over the past two years, borough residents and officials have been working to improve and renovate the park. They have raised money through local fund-raisers and the borough recreation budget.

In January, the fund-raising efforts were aided by State Rep. Elinor Z. Taylor, R-156^th, of West Goshen, who announced that the park would receive a $40,000 grant.

The borough is currently working out how to spend the money in conjunction with state regulations, said Purnell.

"There will be certain restrictions, rules and regulations we will have to follow," said Purnell.