The triangle corner of Sixth Avenue and Main Street in downtown West Bend had a very open-concept appearance Friday as crews from the city Parks Department removed all the trees at Old Settlers Park.
The work is part of a major remodel although some neighbors in the community thought the mature trees should stay. “They never should have taken out that honey locust; the most beautiful tree in downtown West Bend they have to get rid of it,” Greg Chmielewski, owner of Idle Hour or Two, said.
The restaurant is across the street from Old Settlers Park. “Somebody puts in money and they do whatever they want,” said Chmielewski, referencing the $200,000 the city received from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to complete the remodel.
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“I hope they put in trees that grow tall with a nice crown up high so you can see the businesses,” he said.
Justin Nothem from Modern Woodman in West Bend was walking down Main Street this morning. He admitted he really hadn’t noticed the missing trees but supported the process to remodel the park. “I’m sure they have it planned out when all is said and done it will look fantastic,” he said.
West Bend Parks and Forestry Superintendent Mike Jentsch is the project manager. “It’s unfortunate,” he said. “But in a situation like this with all new elevation and retaining walls, we looked over and over to see if we could save any but with all the construction those trees wouldn’t have survived.”
On Friday morning as work crews reviewed the project at the park Jentsch said he hadn’t heard any complaints about the trees. “Everyone I’ve talked to has been very positive about what’s going on down here,” he said. “Specifically about tree removal I have not received any comment.”
There were five trees that were removed from the park including the honey locust, a hickory tree and a couple maple trees.
Jentsch said the hickory was in decline but the others were healthy. The roots of the honey locust, according to Jentsch, would not have survived because the new retaining wall would be right up to the tree.
Craig Hoeppner with the Park and Rec Department said they will plant more trees to make up for the trees removed. He did not know how many more trees or the species.
The rest of Old Settlers Park will be demolished next week. Hoeppner said the new plants will be put in in spring 2016. “Both Vest Park across the street and Old Settlers Park will be more modern looking with better amenities including benches and bike racks,” he said.
Old Settlers Park is scheduled to open June 1 next year.