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City of Bristol hearing on Page Park Phase 2 outlines tree removals, replanting and nesting-bird mitigation
Summary
At a May 7 hearing, City of Bristol project managers described removing an estimated 150–200 trees larger than 4 inches across about 3–5 acres for Page Park Phase 2, while proposing to plant roughly 86 new trees and implement a mitigation plan for nesting killdeer based on Connecticut Audubon guidance.
City of Bristol officials outlined plans to remove trees for Page Park Phase 2 and described steps they will take to limit impacts on nesting wildlife at a May 7 tree hearing.
Ray, who opened the hearing, said the matter concerns tree work tied to City of Bristol renovation plans for Page Park Phase 2 at properties 641 and 649 King Street (Assessor’s map 37, lots 134 and 135). He asked park staff to explain the need for removals, the number of trees affected and proposed mitigation measures.
John Tunshew, a landscape architect and project manager with Wesson and Sampson, said the Phase 2 project includes a new access drive, a large lawn, play areas, a splash pad, a restroom building and additional parking east of the existing pond. “We are removing a significant amount of trees. However, we are planning about, we’re planning 86 trees in total, back as part of the plan,” Tunshew said, naming replacement species that will include sugar maples, lindens, "alcovas" and London plane trees. He listed species proposed for removal as white oaks, red oaks, shagbark hickories, red maples and various birches.
When asked how many trees would be removed, park staff said the tree warden's initial count was about 500 if very small stems are included; staff estimated roughly 150–200 trees greater than 4 inches diameter at breast height would be removed. Tunshew estimated the work would affect about 3 to 5 acres and said roughly half of that area is currently wooded. The staff described the site as being in early to secondary successional wooded condition rather than an established or old-growth forest.
Park staff addressed concerns about nesting birds raised in a public email and said they consulted the Connecticut Audubon Society. Sarah Larson, deputy superintendent, reported she reached out to the Audubon conservation manager, Stefan Martin, and described his recommendation: establish a large buffer around killdeer nests, leave trees in active nests or cavities until nests are vacated, and conduct weekly checks to monitor nest status. Larson said Martin noted killdeer are resilient and often nest on disturbed ground; the recommended approach was to create a 50-foot radius buffer (described in the hearing as a 50-foot radius, effectively a 100-foot diameter buffer) around nests, complete work outside that buffer while eggs are incubating and delay removal inside the buffer until chicks have fledged. She also said contractors will inspect tree cavities before cutting and will postpone removal if an active nest is found.
Larson added that if a monitored nest is predated, staff may proceed with clearing in that area consistent with the Audubon guidance. The mitigation plan is intended to let some construction advance while giving nesting birds a chance to fledge where feasible.
No members of the public attended in person or on Zoom; Ray said the city had received written comments, including emails from a resident identified as Brett Bossi, and that those emails would be entered into the hearing record. Ray said he would review the testimony and issue a decision in the next couple of days.
The hearing produced no formal motions or votes. The record for the matter includes the City of Bristol Page Park Phase 2 plans and planting plans dated 08/22/2025 prepared by Wesson and Sampson and the written public comments entered for the hearing.
