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Residents urge moratorium after tree removals at McLaren Park; department defends safety-driven work
Summary
Multiple residents told the Recreation and Park Commission they want a halt to recent tree removals at McLaren Park, saying cuts went beyond the department's stated objectives. Recreation and Park staff said some tree work remains and that removals focused on safety and habitat goals; the commission heard both support and concerns.
Residents from the Portola and surrounding neighborhoods pressed the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission on March 20 to pause recent tree removals in McLaren Park, saying crews cut large mature trees beyond the scope described in project plans and increased erosion and wind exposure in picnic areas.
Lance Mellon, a Portola resident, told commissioners he was “strongly opposed to the overcutting of trees in McLaren Park” and asked the commission to “help sway this Rec and Park decision making regarding our beloved park, to lessen the tree cutting.” Gaia, another neighborhood resident, said the removals were “increasing wind and making the picnic areas almost unusable,” and argued that many felled trees appeared healthy and not sick as staff had described.
Linda Lighthizer, co‑organizer of the McLaren Park Collaborative, thanked the commission for holding the meeting in the neighborhood but said the park’s regional scale complicates local organizing: “There is so much love for this park, our second largest park in the system,” she said, while urging continued community involvement in planning.
General Manager Phil Ginsburg responded that while much of the major tree removal work is “mostly done,” the department still plans a second phase of tree work and ongoing trail improvements. Ginsburg said, “We take our canopy very seriously. We are a parks department, but trees need to be healthy and people need to be safe. … We have to manage our canopy and we did a lot of pruning for health and safety reasons. We did actually remove a lot of dead and or dying trees.” He added later, describing field visits with staff, “I feel 100% confident about the work that's being done.”
Commissioners and staff said the department aims to balance public safety, habitat values and trail access. Staff described repurposing large downed logs to stabilize erosion and noted planned replanting and an urban reforestation apprentice program that will plant new trees, including many sited within McLaren Park. Several commenters pressed for an immediate moratorium; staff said some work remains and that additional outreach and explanation about subsequent trail and habitat work would continue.
No formal action was taken by the commission on tree policy at the meeting; the department said it will continue phased restoration and trail work and will engage with local stakeholders on upcoming project phases.
