The water main replacement project in Salisbury City Park is past the halfway point. The pipeline trench excavation includes from Memorial Plaza to the Waterworks building, within a few feet of Beaverdam Creek. It’s on the Civic Center side of the Park in the main Greenway Trail.
This will give the City a much-needed new water main serving the nine wells in City Park. The old pipeline, installed about 100 years ago, must be renewed to use these wells for our water supply.
BUT extensive, preventable damage to many City park trees has occurred in this project. Thousands of square feet of topsoil have been disturbed, under the trees canopies, affecting their root systems. Heavy equipment maneuvering has scarred their trunks and broken off branches. Oaks, hollies, pines and Atlantic White Cedars have been affected. These are magnificent specimens about 100 years old, and much appreciated by park users.
Since the first week of January, citizens have voiced concerns to leadership of the City Government. I personally have emailed three department directors- Waterworks, DID, Field Operations and the mayor, at least weekly. They did communicate with me, fairly promptly. Responses were prompt saying, essentially; we will get key people in a room and talk about it. Actions taken, though; NONE observed in my walking the project area almost daily.
NO industry-standard tree protection was performed to prevent severe tree damage. And heavy equipment continued eroding of topsoil, especially on the hillside leading down to and including the 100-year floodplain.
Trees and topsoil are precious resources and key to City Park’s quality existence. Granted, a few trees are expected to be damaged, however, based on various opinions, this project went rogue, over-reached and disregarded the surroundings.
So--How many more trees will be permanently scarred or their root systems damaged? What will be done to restore the Park, its trails, trees and open spaces, once its completed? Acres of nature were disrupted and many trees weakened, leading to their early demise. Sadly the collateral damage of the project now includes park visitors; both present and future generations.
Nancy Roisum
Salisbury City Resident
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
