Today I was shocked to find out that up to 28 trees in Field Park, the same ones I have grown up with and spent countless summer days underneath, are to be cut down to create an Olympic sized soccer field. Such trees include English Oak, a 120 year old honey locust (the largest one in Oak Park), maple, walnut, pear, fir, pine, and other trees. These trees are the homes of dozens of birds and squirrels, and many are memorial trees, paid for by the families of lost loved ones. Children attending Mann School as well as others in the community play among these trees every day.
I spent the majority of my elementary school recess days underneath those trees. I remember meeting underneath them for shade when it was hot, playing hand clapping games around the honey locust, and pretending to be Christopher Columbus with my best friends by exploring all of the branches. The biggest tree by the rainbow park was prime gossip territory as well as meeting ground for anyone who wanted to play tag. I picnicked with my mom every Friday at lunch for my six years at Mann School underneath these trees’ shade. And, even though I have just graduated high school, these trees still hold the same strong emotional ties. I hang out with friends there and take walks almost every day down the path. I see families, day camp groups, dog walkers, and friends underneath the trees every day, enjoying the shade and space.
The emotional and environmental damage to the land and trees that is already planned to begin on Monday, July 9 is all part of a $399,000 “renovation” plan of Field Park-all in order to provide yet another soccer field. At the initial protest held in Field Park on Sunday, July 8, many soccer players passionately stated their disinterest in cutting down trees for the sole purpose of having such a large playing space. In fact, it seemed that no soccer players, let alone any members of the surrounding community, were informed of such a decision until that very day.
I urge anyone who is concerned about the destruction of such a beautiful place to come to the special park board meeting at Field Center on Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the Site Master Plan at Field Center/Park.
Sarah Abarbanel