Last week, I noticed work had begun on the memorial for police officers who died in the line of duty. An area had been marked out around the flagpole, but I didn't have my camera with me to get a photo.The City Council had given permission in June to hold the unveiling of the memorial, which will take place on Sept. 11.
On Tuesday, I was surprised to see all the shrubs and the weeping cherry tree had been removed from the front of the building, in addition to work commencing on the memorial site.It was a bit of a shock. I don't think anything was wrong with the tree. Just curious to know what prompted removal of all the greenery.
I will follow the progress of the memorial and give details on the ceremony when available.
--Bernice
I could be snarky, but I won't.
ReplyDeleteI don't care about the shrubs, but cutting down a mature tree, especially in a designated Arbor City, seems to be just stupid. Was it by some miracle moved?
ReplyDeleteI too will miss that tree -- it's been the subject of many photos I've taken. In bloom, it was so pretty.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. How large is the memorial that would justify the destruction of nature's beauty?
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone in their right mind remove a beautful tree from an area of Plainfield that is ugly. From the train tracks to City Hall is one of the most unattractive areas in Plainfield. I bet some idiot got paid good money to make that call. This idiotic move fits in with our current administration and their lack of forethought ideology.
ReplyDeleteOf Course you would have a problem with the Memorial You are just so anti police
ReplyDeleteI loved the tree..NO MATTER WHAT..but, knowing what I know about trees and buildings, the tree was originally planted too close to the building. It was going to be going sooner rather than later at some point. It quite honestly should have been at least 5-10feet further away from the building. Hopefully, when the entire area is redone, someone will pay homage to the original plantings and replant a baby version of the cherry back there.
ReplyDeleteAgain though...sad it's gone..but I understand why it had to go, eventually....
That cherry tree was a favorite sight in the Spring when it showed it's colorful cheer. Evidently as Plainfielders have tons of money to re-do landscaping that already existed.
ReplyDeleteWow people care more about the trees and shrubs then the Officers that died in the line of duty. So you wonder why Plainfield is the way it is
ReplyDeleteSure this won"t be posted because of censorship on this site
I am sure the memorial will be nice.
ReplyDeleteIt will sure be better then milkcrates candles and 40 oz. beers or remi that get set up on the corners. But you would like that better because it wouldn't change the landscape and no harm done to the crabgrass and weeds
Anon,
ReplyDeleteIt's not the point of not caring. We care greatly about our fallen Officers but think how more attractive the memorial ground would be with the beautiful weeping cherry tree and greenery in the background. In all probability there will be other plantings around the monument. Why destroy what is already there?
The city planted trees for the four officers killed in the line of duty on the corner of Watchung and East 5th st, you know where all the drunks hang out the trees aren"t even cared for by the city.
ReplyDeleteI hope the officers read this and see how people care more for trees then them
6.36.i bet if you need a police officer,you would know where 2 find one.not very nice of you 2 speak of them in that fashion.they dont make the rules, what tree goes or does not go.so dont blame them.
ReplyDeleteCan we please separate the issue of the tree removal from the honoring of the fallen officers?
ReplyDeleteI'm told Public Works decided to remove the tree and shrubs, though I have no proof so far.
The memorial as described was closely centered around the flagpole and not all over the PD grounds.
If a mistake was made, so be it, but let's just go forward.
If they plant a new tree and shrubs as part of the memorial, people should be fired!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Bernice. People cannot separate issues. There are 2 issues, not related.
ReplyDelete1 - Memorial to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice - LONG OVERDUE
2 - Cut down a beautiful tree, that probably would enhance the memorial area - STUPID
My word all this drama over a gosh darn tree.
ReplyDeleteI heard that the tree was rotting at the base and was in danger of falling.I also heard that the police department is going to be renovated and expanded because the building is to small and run down.
See Bernice's later post which clears things up.
ReplyDelete