Logan Park tree removal sparks anger

An aerial shot of Logan Park, including the row of poplars. Photo by ODT.

As the chop looms, plans to remove 12 established poplars in Logan Park Dr have fired up Dunedin residents, some of whom say the decision appears to be out of the blue and even ''horrifying''.

But the Dunedin City Council says the removal of the trees, which will come down next week, is part of a 2007 plan to redevelop Logan Park.

This included the eventual removal, and partial replacement, of the entire avenue of poplars.

The original plan was to remove the 12 Ontario poplars about five years ago, but the move was delayed for various reasons.

The council says the trees are to be removed mainly because they shade the University Oval cricket ground and because the space is needed for sports fields.

Many people have contacted the ODT since Tuesday's story about felling the trees.

It is understood council staff have also received calls.

Concerns aired range from a loss of ambience, to whether the options had been fully canvassed, to giving in to sporting codes' demands and confusion about process.

Stephen MacKnight, of Dunedin, said the trees significantly added to the character of Logan Park, and the University Oval in particular, and their removal would greatly affect that.

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Logan Park tree removal sparks anger