By Derek Cornet

Residents concerned with tree removal at Air Ronge’s Heritage Park

Aug 30, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Air Ronge residents are concerned with the large number of trees removed from Heritage Park.

As part of Air Ronge Council’s vision to make the park a more family-friendly recreational destination, recent work has involved the removal of many trees bordering homes and other areas of the riverside space. One resident who is unhappy with the removal of trees is Cheryl Norgaard, who sent a letter to council stating too many were cut down.

“I did try to reach out the village and some of the councillors have responded to me saying they also didn’t realize the extent … to which the trees were removed,” Norgaard said in an interview with larongeNOW. “It seemed like it was unnecessary for them to remove as many trees as they did in my perspective.”

Council discussed a number of improvements which could occur at the park including the installation of more picnic tables, a cooking hut, fire pits, signage and possibly more playground equipment. Norgaard noted she doesn’t have issue with council redeveloping the park so more people use it, but added there are privacy concerns when users can see into backyards.

health care

RBC Foundation gifts $7,500 to assist in training La Ronge nurses

Apr 24, 2024

town council

Strong opposition for downtown homeless shelter ahead of Tuesday public hearing

Apr 22, 2024

long-term care

La Ronge housing shortage discussed at SUMA convention

Apr 18, 2024

Moving forward, she would like see Heritage Park made to look more beautiful and hopes there’s a possibility more trees can be planted as well.

“I just don’t understand why healthy and beautiful trees are being removed from the park,” Norgaard said. “Maybe the vision wasn’t communicated correctly to the people hired to do the job and they did what they thought was right.”

According to Air Ronge Mayor Gordon Stomp, however, there was no confusion when it came to which trees needed to be cut down. He said the village’s foreman supervised the work and some of it included the removal of healthy trees to ensure Air Ronge is prepared for wildfire activity. Stomp added some of the trees were dead, leaning over and posed a safety risk.

Before winter, Stomp added fill will be brought in to level some of the lower areas of the park and the removal of trees will be completed. He said the administration will also be seeking grant money as council plans to have a good portion of the park completed next summer.

“The trees that came down should have came down a long time ago,” Stomp said. “I don’t think a lot of [Norgaard’s] comments were founded like the lack of supervision for the clearing. That was always taken care of.”

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno