Durango, CO: **A Douglas Fir in downtown Durango nominated for the inaugural La Plata County Tree of the Year Contest will not be removed to make way for a police parking lot.
Signs posted near the former Big Picture High School building at 215 E. 12th St. referenced that the tree would be “demolished and replaced by a parking lot.” A QR code that referenced an online voting site was on the sign, but the voting ended Oct. 25 and the site is no longer active. The tree was never scheduled for removal.
Instead, additional precautions have been taken to ensure its safety during construction. A fenced-off area has been set up around that particular Douglas Fir, and additional tree protection areas have been set up for the clumps of trees in front of the historic high school building facing 12th Street. Trees that are scheduled for removal will be replaced with a new tree on site:
(click to enlarge)
Residents can view the latest plans for the project, including updates, on engage.durangoco.gov. Also available on the Engage site are the plans for the landscaping at Buckley Park, which include adding 24 trees:
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Media Contact**Tom SluisPublic Information Officer Phone: (970) 375-5090Email: Tom Sluis