Residents of Forest Park expressed their frustrations during a recent village meeting, highlighting significant concerns regarding tree management and public maintenance issues.

One resident recounted a distressing incident involving the removal of a century-old silver maple tree on their block. Despite prior notifications indicating tree trimming, the tree was completely cut down without proper communication or justification. The resident, who had previously consulted with an arborist, argued that the tree was healthy and questioned the village's reliance on an external company for tree removal rather than preservation. They emphasized the need for better communication from the village regarding such actions, especially since the removal has negatively impacted their property value and the local ecosystem.

Another resident raised concerns about overgrown weeds in various locations throughout the village, including alleys and parkways. They criticized the public works department for failing to address these issues despite visible neglect. The resident pointed out that the weeds have grown excessively tall, indicating a lack of attention to community maintenance. They urged village officials to take action and improve the upkeep of public spaces.

The meeting concluded without formal communications from the village, leaving residents eager for answers and solutions to their pressing concerns. The discussions underscored a growing demand for transparency and responsiveness from local government regarding community maintenance and environmental stewardship.