[Update Below] This week, New York City is committing mass arborcide in the name of public safety. Since Monday at least 100 trees in Isham and Inwood Hill Parks have been cut down, and more than 200 have been heavily pruned, in an attempt to make the areas safer.
According to the Parks Department, many of the trees in question had been damaged by Hurricane Irene, but many more needed to go for the safety of nearby humans. "This will open up sight lines in and out of the park to better improve its appearance and public safety," spokesman Phil Abramson said, explaining that the the department decided to take action after "unfortunate incidents occurred in the park."
The parks have seen an increase in crime lately, but lots of residents aren't happy to see the land stripped of trees. Like 25-year-old Elizabeth Terranova who the Times caught up with while she was walking her cat in the park (and yes, they have a picture). Despite once almost getting into a touchy situation nearby the park she thinks that "maybe they could just put up more lights." Maybe, cat-walking lady, maybe.
Update: Abramson of the Parks Dept. reaches out to clarify the above quotes. The arborcide wasn't about the muggings after all!
We are not removing any trees from Isham and Inwood Hill Parks because of concerns about muggings. The only trees that were removed were trees that were dead, dying or so severely damaged by recent storms that they posed serious public safety hazards. This was important forestry restoration work that was requested by the community. Now, while we were removing those trees, we also trimmed some other overhanging branches to better improve sightlines.
