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Wasilla leaders defend safety-driven changes at Nunley Park after surprise tree removal
Summary
City officials described safety, drainage and play-structure concerns as the reasons for removing trees and planning an overhaul at Nunley Park, but several council members and residents said the work should have been presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the council before trees were cut.
Public Works Director Eric Shaw told the Wasilla City Council that crews removed trees at Nunley Park after inspections showed the park’s play structures and a caboose posed safety and maintenance hazards, and he said staff will return with a master plan for playground replacement, drainage improvements and other upgrades.
The announcement, and the fact the trees were removed before a plan was shown to council or the Parks and Recreation Commission, drew sharp criticism from Councilmember Stu Graham and others who said the public and advisory bodies were not given notice or a chance to weigh in.
“The caboose not only providing immense liability to the city, it also kind of divides the typical use of the park,” Shaw said, adding the caboose has lead paint and asbestos and that the city will seek a new home for it or dispose of it via public surplus. He also described plans to consolidate two failing play structures into a single, modern unit, move and expand planter boxes closer to City Hall, add swings, improve drainage to reduce winter ice patches, and locate lighting where the trees had stood.
Graham said park changes had not been discussed by the Parks and Recreation Commission and that residents learned about the tree work through social media. “This was not talked about. Okay? What was talked about was putting some lighting in the tree line,” Graham said. “This was not talked about. We have taken and destroyed destroyed a city park.”
Councilmember Eric Crafton and others urged that any larger redesign be sent to the Parks and Recreation Commission and subject to public input. Crafton suggested relocating the caboose to the train depot if it cannot remain in the park, or redesigning its placement so it does not bisect sightlines for parents watching children.
Mayor (name not specified) apologized to the council and residents, described the tree cutting as a “bad call” and said staff would present a site plan to the council. “I made a bad call,” the mayor said. “I can't put the trees back, but lesson learned.”
Shaw acknowledged that staff had not informed the full council prior to the cutting and said he will return with detailed illustrations showing the proposed playground replacement, updated planter boxes, parking improvements and locations for lighting. He also said staff will solicit public input and can send the plan to the Parks and Recreation Commission before funds are expended.
Council debate included safety, public-notice and process concerns as well as some residents’ statements that the planned changes could make the park more usable year-round. One resident who said she frequents the park with grandchildren told the council she was “not sad to see” the caboose removed, citing safety issues with people climbing on it.
Shaw said the caboose contains both lead paint and components containing asbestos and that repainting alone would not resolve the structural and safety issues. He said the city may relocate the caboose to a nonprofit or dispose of it through public surplus auction if no suitable taker is found.
The matter concluded without a formal vote. City staff committed to preparing a master plan and bringing it back to the council; Shaw said the plan could be sent to the Parks and Recreation Commission before any expenditures are approved.
