During the recent Lakewood City Council meeting, residents voiced significant concerns regarding the preservation of Garry Oaks and other mature trees in the city. The public comment section featured passionate testimonies from community members advocating for the protection of these trees, which they argue are vital to the city's ecological and historical landscape.

Christina Manetti, representing the Garry Oak Coalition, highlighted plans to cut down a Garry Oak for sidewalk construction at the intersection of 112th and Interlaken. She emphasized that such actions contradict guidelines from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, which recommend protecting Garry Oak stands in urban areas. Manetti urged the council to enforce stricter regulations on developers to safeguard the critical root zones of these trees.

James Dunlop raised concerns about the city's reliance on grant funding for projects that may not benefit residents. He questioned whether the pursuit of grants is leading to unnecessary developments, such as the construction of sidewalks that result in the loss of trees, citing past instances where trees were removed for similar reasons.

Eric Jorgensen echoed these sentiments, urging the council to consider design modifications that would allow for both sidewalk installation and tree preservation. He pointed out that the removal of old trees, particularly Garry Oaks, is irreversible and detrimental to the community's heritage.

Ibrahim Mirzialidi also criticized the decision to cut down trees for infrastructure improvements, arguing that the historical significance of these trees should not be overlooked in favor of bureaucratic decisions.

The public comment period concluded with no additional speakers, but the discussions underscored a growing concern among Lakewood residents about balancing urban development with environmental conservation. The council now faces the challenge of addressing these community concerns while planning future projects.