City Of San Antonio: District 2 Councilman's Statement On The Historic Design Review Commission Vote On The Brackenridge Tree Removal Plan

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

Thursday, February 17, 2022

CONTACT: Imgard Rop, Director of Public Relations District 2
Imgard.Rop@sanantonio.gov | (210) 207-8261

SAN ANTONIO (February 17, 2022) – On February 16, 2022, the Historic Design Review Commission voted on a proposed plan for their consideration for the removal of heritage and significant trees located at top of bank and along the river at Brackenridge park. The date for the new meeting has yet to be announced by City staff.

Councilman McKee-Rodriguez remains of the opinion that healthy heritage trees take precedence in preservation and are deserving of further robust and complete consideration before they are removed, and the landscape and health of Brackenridge is altered.

District 2 commends the many San Antonians from various districts who provided their testimony to the HDRC commissioners to consider denial of the current plan in lieu of a new, more considerate plan to include more trees, specifically those of heritage designation closest to the river bank.

Councilman McKee-Rodriguez states, “Our office has met multiple times with City Staff, advocates, neighborhood leaders, and various external experts to better understand the scope and possible future effects of the current proposed project. We remain committed to the public process and ensure every voice is heard and valued. We are hopeful we can collectively reach a plan which builds upon the natural and historic landscape of Brackenridge Park instead of removing instrumental living elements which make the park so special. As our climate crisis continues and our bird populations plummet, it is our duty to be co-existing stewards of the land to ensure future generations can enjoy what thousands before have: beautiful, healthy natural spaces, water, shade, and wildlife.”

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.