A note from a concerned citizen about changes to Dogwood Park and Bill Moore Park

Dear City of Courtenay council members,

I have been working in Dogwood Park over the past winter with Comox Valley Nature, removing invasive English Ivy and other invasive plants from the Park. This is a five-year project, designed together with Courtenay Parks. I also walk the Rotary Trail on an almost daily basis, most often the section between 17th and 21st Streets, which includes Dogwood Park.

I attended the initial public consultation by the City at Bill Moore Park and, at that time, asked the staff in attendance whether the proposed changes to Bill Moore and Dogwood Parks would involve removing any trees, and I was told no, that no tree removal was being considered.

Imagine my surprise when I did the consultation survey and saw that Options B and C most definitely consider removal of trees. Option C, in fact, would probably spell the death of this naturally regenerated, second-growth forest, over time just through weakening the trees that would be left after removal to create things like an off-leash dog park. The heavy trampling by people and animals envisioned in Options B and C would also destroy any remaining understory, thus forcing any birds and animals to leave the area.

The word "underutilized" was used to describe Dogwood Park. I ask (and want an answer): underutilized by whom? As I stated above, this is a naturally regenerated second-growth forest that is healthy. I see on the Urban Forest Strategy documents that it seems there are even some redwoods in that forest. Being naturally regenerated means that native plants live there, and certainly birds and animals live there. As for human use, it is most definitely utilized on a regular - often daily - basis by people walking or biking through that area. The benefits of peaceful enjoyment of this tranquil place should not be underestimated.

Further, removing the trees and understory - and thus the services provided by those trees and plants - is counter to every principle elucidated in the Urban Forest Strategy documents. Just in terms of water management, when we have heavy rains - which we do often - that entire forest sequesters a tremendous amount of water, as anyone who walks this trail regularly can attest to. Removing that forest would require massive water management options to be installed.

Why do that when the forest provides those services for free? Along with all the other free infrastructure services provided by the forest, as laid out in the Urban Forest Strategy.

As for an off-leash dog park, there are other existing green spaces within Courtenay that already have had trees removed which are also "underutilized" by humans and could be turned into an off-leash area for dogs. Why remove healthy trees from one area when existing areas are not being used to their full potential?

I am vehemently opposed to removing any trees from Dogwood Park. I would like a full explanation from the City about why this is even being considered. Increasing the sports options of Bill Moore Park is a poor reason, in my view. There is enough space already cleared in Bill Moore Park that many of the options being considered could be incorporated there. I would posit that the two massive sports fields that already exist are "underutilized" in the sense that they are certainly not fully booked for baseball, soccer or football games.