Residents in New Haven, Connecticut, are in a dispute with Yale University over the university's plans to remove trees from a local park. The park, located near the Yale Golf Course in the Westville neighborhood, is owned by the university but has been maintained and enhanced by the Upper Westville Community Park Association for the past 15 years.
According to Alder Amy Marx, who represents the area, residents transformed the once overgrown and trash-strewn space into a cherished community asset. The association fundraised for amenities like benches and has fostered a sense of community ownership, with people regularly using the park for walks and with their pets. Marx stated that the park is a "beloved part of the neighborhood."
Yale announced its intention to remove several trees from the park, a decision that has drawn strong opposition from the park association. Marx expressed frustration, calling the move "disrespectful and incredibly short-sighted" for not involving community input. She claimed that Yale had previously agreed to a joint "walk through" of the park to discuss any proposed changes before any action was taken.
However, Yale official Karen McIntosh reportedly communicated to Marx that no such agreement for a joint walkthrough was made. McIntosh explained in an email that three trees would be removed due to their proximity to power lines, with Lewis Tree contracted for the work. She noted that the removal process would take an estimated 3-5 business days and that local police would be present to ensure safety.
Despite Yale's explanation, residents observed tree cutting in progress. The situation took another turn when a spokesman for the utility company unexpectedly informed the assembled residents that the tree removal had been put on hold. The exact status of the tree removal and the university's future plans for the park remain subjects of contention between Yale and the community association.