Damaged trees threatening Springfield home will be removed

A local parks district will remove two damaged trees in Snyder Park today after a Springfield man spent two weeks trying to get the trees taken out.

“I am frustrated with the lack of help, because I fear there is a potential of loss of life or damage to my property,” Bradley Carey said. “I would think (they) would want to rectify that situation right away.”

Carey, of 978 Rubsam St., said after trying to contact the city and National Trail Parks and Recreation District several times over the phone and through email, he had no luck.

He was concerned about a tree that snapped at the base during a June 4 storm. That tree then fell into another tree, cracking the trunk.

Both trees are still standing, but Carey fears one or both trees could fall on his property that borders Snyder Park.

“If we have a wind storm, they could come over into my property and onto my house, or if the kids are outside they could fall on my children,” Carey said. “I don’t think its that big of a request to cut down a couple of trees that could take somebody’s life.”

Shortly after the Springfield News-Sun contacted National Trail Parks and Recreation District Director Leann Castillo, the agency had an employee out to assess the damage.

Castillo said she didn’t receive Carey’s email and that when employees first went out to look for damages, they didn’t see any.

After returning to the home, Castillo said her agency will work with the city to start removing the trees today.

An avid user of the parks, Carey said he supports the district, but believes this problem should have been dealt with sooner.

“Absolutely I feel frustrated as a taxpayer,” Carey said.

Castillo said Carey did everything right in notifying the parks district and isn’t sure how these damaged trees fell through the cracks.

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