San Francisco Residents Protest Tree Removal in $40M Park Revamp
Nearly 100 trees are being removed from Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park as part of a significant renovation project, drawing criticism from locals.
San Francisco has begun removing 97 of the 113 trees located in Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park as part of a $40 million renovation project. The tree removal, which started Monday and is expected to continue for five weeks, has drawn criticism from some residents.
According to the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department, three of the removed trees will be transplanted to different locations within the park. The remaining trees will be replaced by a variety of species deemed more suitable for the local environment, including coast live oak, coast redwood, Monterey cypress, southern magnolia, and strawberry tree.
The renovation project aims to transform the waterfront area into a "vibrant 5-acre waterfront park in the heart of San Francisco." The plan includes regrading the park for improved accessibility, updating pathways, and enhancing landscaping and stormwater infrastructure.
This revitalization effort also follows the removal of the historic Vaillancourt Fountain earlier this year. The project is supported by a public-private funding model, with a combination of public funds, contributions from real estate firm BXP, and targeted funding from the Downtown SF Partnership.
Online reactions to the tree removal have been largely negative, with some residents expressing concerns about the loss of green space and the environmental impact. "You got to be kidding!!!!! With the temprature rising & you are cutting down trees. You will be burning San Francisco!!!!!!," commented one Instagram user. Another user voiced frustration, stating, "Seems like our nature-loving city loves new “designed” parks but not inclined to take care of our existing meager “canopy.”"
The Embarcadero Plaza, originally designed by Lawrence Halprin and opened in 1972, and Sue Bierman Park, developed after the demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway in 1992, are described by the city as having aging infrastructure and declining usage, necessitating the revitalization.