Residents press council to save Uptown tree canopy; petitioners say more than 7,000 signed

Residents again urged the Whittier City Council to halt planned tree removals and preserve the city’s mature street and park canopy, telling the council the trees provide shade, cooling and community character.

Tom, a longtime local activist, told the council, “I love the trees. Let's keep those trees.” Connie McCormick, who identified herself as a 29‑year resident, said an article in The Nation had highlighted Whittier protests and that “saving these trees is supported by more than 90% of Whittier residents,” and she cited a petition with more than 7,000 signatures asking the city to protect Uptown trees.

Other speakers raised similar concerns about Parnell Park and neighborhood street trees, framed the issue as one of quality of life, and criticized prior decisions that allowed tree removal in other developments. John Baker, who spoke later in the meeting, said he was “ashamed that a public park is gonna be basically vandalized for a group of wealthier than us parents for private soccer stuff.”

Council staff and councilmembers discussed related maintenance and landscape contracts on the consent calendar during the same meeting. Public‑works presentation material and staff comments described a consolidated landscape and irrigation services agreement that specifically lists Greenway Trail and added power washing and cleaning on Greenleaf; that contract was approved during the meeting and is intended, staff said, to increase accountability for public‑realm maintenance.

Speakers and some councilmembers asked the city to consider more public outreach and clear information about how tree‑removal decisions are made and whether alternatives exist. No ordinance or emergency moratorium on tree work was proposed or adopted at the meeting; the discussion in public comment and in council remarks suggests the matter remains active and will likely return to council attention in future agenda items.