Crying fowl - roosters and hens are continuing to populate Palmetto Bay - coming home to roost.

More updates on how Palmetto Bay is rapidly becoming home to more non-native wildlife.  This well-meaning resident is doing the right thing - posting on Next Door and looking for someone to adopt - let's hope this Rooster is not targeted for elimination like the Coral Reef Parks ducks (and geese) suffered in recent history.

PRIOR RELATED POST: August 14, 2024, Reader submissions - Chickens & Roosters multiplying at Coral Reef Park - non-native species appear to be thriving.

Please - rescue and find a home for this guy!

🚨 Friendly Rooster Abandoned at Coral Reef Park — Needs a Safe Home 🐓

Hi neighbors — I walk through Coral Reef Park regularly and noticed that someone appears to have abandoned a white rooster there recently. He’s clearly domesticated — friendly, a little confused, and walked right up to me making soft sounds, like he’s scared or lonely.

There are a lot of birds and ducks in the park, and while people do feed them, this rooster is not equipped to live outdoors without proper shelter. He’s vulnerable to stray cats, raccoons, dogs, and the weather — especially at night when chickens can’t see well. Roosters also crow early in the morning, which might put him at risk of being removed.

I’d really like to help him find a safe, permanent home. If anyone has a coop, farm, or safe yard with hens, or knows someone who does, please reach out.

He seems sweet and healthy, and I’m happy to help cover his initial expenses (food, supplies, vet check if needed) to ensure he’s cared for.

Please message me if you can help or have any leads. Thank you 🙏

A new exercise opportunity for Coral Reef Park - here now : "The ROCKY II Chicken Chase"

For the fitness buffs - Palmetto Bay is supplying the chickens - all you have to do is chase them!

Also see PRIOR RELATED POST - Monday, July 22, 2024, Coral Reef Park and the Mangowood community have a morning wake up alarm.

I'm told that there are many to choose from - see photos posted below - supplied by readers (Please send more)

Also coming soon - reader submitted photos of Roosters who have come home to roost in other areas of Palmetto Bay (please mail photos to me at eugeneflinn@bellsouth.net)

Coral Reef Park and the Mangowood community have a morning wake up alarm.

It's time to wake up Palmetto Bay!

“Curses are like young chickens, they always come home to roost” 

So who brought the chickens to Coral Reef Park? Perhaps it was Palmetto Bay Ordinance 2023-12, sponsored by Vice Mayor Leanne Tellam.  

How is that Palmetto Bay Chicken ordinance working out?  There were plenty of backyard chicken keepers pre-incorporation (prior to 9/10/2002) through 2019. But people kept them responsibly; it was live and let live and Palmetto Bay did not have a feral Chicken issue. People kept them under wraps, but the village, most notably ,  Vice Mayor Leanne Tellam wanted to open the door to encourage them – Such as contained in Palmetto Bay Ordinance 2023-12, sponsored by Vice Mayor Leanne Tellam.    As many predicted – the chickens would come home to roost – and you can’t have free ranging chickens without attracting Roosters. Nevertheless, Palmetto Bay officials enacted a hastily considered ordinance which even noted that "...roosters, which can and do disturb the peaceful quality of life in the Village ...." – and yet here they are (Roosters).  Now there are feral populations of chickens and the accompanying roosters throughout Palmetto Bay.  

So what is next, a Rooster slaughter on the scale of the past duck and tree slaughters at Coral Reef Park?  Stay tuned. 

Palmetto Bay Ordinance Sec. 20-66. Domestic animals.

(a) No person shall be permitted to take any domestic animal into any park unless the park specifically permits domestic animals. Canines (dogs) are particularly excluded from all parks other than Perrine Wayside Park. The provisions of Chapter 5 (sections 5-3 through 5-15) of the Code of Miami-Dade County (Miami-Dade County Dog Control Ordinance No. 58-28) shall apply to all park property not specifically designated for canine use. The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the use of a special needs service animal. As special needs service animal is defined as any dog guide or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.

(b) Cattle, mules, swine, sheep, goats, fowl or horses shall be precluded from entry into park property. All owners or attendants of such animals are charged with the duty of preventing such occurrences. However, this prohibition does not apply to animals and fowl kept by the parks department of under its direction. Any person found violating this provision shall receive a $200.00 civil citation.

(c) Animals may be allowed into the park for special events upon obtaining a written permit from the department director.

(Ord. No. 07-16, § 1(Rule 16), 6-11-2007)

I may have found the reason why the current mayor and council remove so many trees - Dendrophobia

Palmetto Bay is not blessed with a Lorax council. Trees have been removed for horrible projects such as the SW 136Street multi-path.  Several trees in the way of her bridge project were actually smothered and then removed at Coral Reef Park – as well as failing to protect trees hundreds of years old throughout the village such as the huge Oak in the Morningside neighborhood (near Franjo Road) or all along the Old Cutler Road.  What is wrong with this tree hating council? 

Well, I have formed my own opinion: Dendrophobia - the fear of trees. Is this what drives the current mayor and the members of the village council to remove so many trees? 

I looked up this condition on the Cleveland Clinic website - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22587-dendrophobia-fear-of-trees

Here is what I found on that website:

Dendrophobia is a fear of trees. People with this specific phobia feel anxious when they think about or see a tree. Many people with tree phobia have had negative experiences with trees. You can overcome a phobia of trees with exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and other treatments.

Someone with dendrophobia may be afraid of:

Dangers hidden in trees, such as spiders, scorpions or snakes.
Encountering trees after dark.
Shadows made by trees.
Sounds of leaves rustling in the wind.
Tree branches or entire trees falling on them.
Tripping over tree roots. (a real concern presently at our parks - see photo right)
Walking or driving near or underneath trees.

Or maybe the mayor and council members suffered traumatic loses of their kites – to kite eating trees – when they were younger.

So perhaps there is an explanation for this tree hating behavior.

via GIPHY

Direct question - one tree saved - but I am seeking a statement from current Palmetto Bay officials: please state with certainty how many trees in Coral Reef Park will be chopped down for the new building

Are these trees in the way of "progress" - it took a viral online petition to save one tree, but which of these large, mature shade trees remain on the chopping block?

It is a fair question:  Madam Mayor, Mr. Manager, anyone from the council - please tell us in full and complete sentences how many trees and which ones are to be chopped down to make way for the new building?

The trees pictured above had red ribbons placed around them in April of 2024.

Will these trees also be protected or are they also on the chopping block?

Trees simply seem to "disappear" at Coral Reef Park!

These benches (below) were not installed in the direct sun light, but were originally shaded by a tree.  Where did that tree go? Look closely (click on and enlarge the photo - below right) you can find the stump giving evidence that there was once a tree shading those benches - and those who sat upon them. 

Past evidence. The haunting shadows of trees past (below center. Shade removed.  

Palmetto Bay officials have said nothing said about why these trees were hacked and removed.

EXACTLY HOW DOES THIS BUILDING FIT IN THE TREE CANOPIED AREA?

This new building is being shoehorned into one of the most dense areas of tree canopy.  There is a reason for the tree canopy - it is an area where our village children could play in the shade. Sure, the building will be air conditioned, but at what cost to our existing tree canopy?

Here is an official proposed site plan for the proposed building:

There is no overlay to demonstrate how this fits and which trees will be cleared for this project.  I am trying to do my best with the following photos of the current area:

Same photos above, but the other mature trees are circle in red (the saved tree is circled in white). Which trees survive and which ones are on the chopping block? As I like to say, these are all fair questions to ask and certainly the current mayor and council members should know, after all, haven't they all been following this project, giving direction to the manager and staff?

PRIOR RELATED POST - Here is an example of the true record of  the current mayor and council - the deforestation of  Coral Reef Park:

September 17, 2021 - A good (BAD) example of how Palmetto Bay officials are squandering our environmental assets. The affected trees were cut down & removed on 9-16-21 CLICK HERE

The Council never made a public statement about what was happening with these trees. Nope, not a peep - I'm sure their taxpayer funded PR department was of the opinion that it was better to say nothing than to admit their mistakes. But their actions did speak loudly as a tree removal crew quietly showed up on Thursday, September 16, to remove their mistakes. Two 40 plus year oaks were hacked down and removed from Coral Reef Park. What trees, you may ask? 

Above - other original oaks in the way of another vanity project of the current mayor and council.  The trees were there first - and any competent designer or any caring council could work around the trees. Who knows, perhaps they did not even know those trees were there until they broke ground.  The trees are first smothered, then ignored, the chopped down/removed and then the last evidence is removed.

This current mayor and council should resign from "Tree City USA" in shame. 

Statement of Eugene Flinn regarding management of wildlife in Coral Reef Park: The truth about the CRP wildlife removal

No Muscovy ducks or Egyptian geese were harmed during any of my three terms as Mayor of Palmetto Bay. This is readily apparent from the receipts for animal removal, which I received from the Village, and which I am attaching. The Village and its council members are well aware that they did not occur during my tenure as mayor, assuming they can read a calendar. 

 For reference, I served on the Palmetto Bay Council from its creation in 2002 until shortly prior to Election Day, 2010. I then took office again in December, 2014 and served until December 4, 2018. I was not in office from November 8, 2010 to December, 2014 or after December 4, 2018. This is when the geese removals took place. 

Removal Receipts During the Stanczyk Administration 

The current Palmetto Manager presented some police and injury reports at the April 17 Council meeting, alleging that the Egyptian Geese (not Muscovy Ducks) were responsible for aggressive behavior. Apparently there were also attorneys who wrote at least one demand letter (I do not know if any suit was filed or it was settled pre-suit, if at all). The receipts for removals that were discussed Monday, April 17, which appeared to cover the following dates: 11-17-2010, 1-03-2011, 4-11-2011, 11-1-2013, 12-5-2013, 1-3-2014 and 4-15-2014 (for service dates of 1-24-14 & 4-16-2014). 

I have undertaken additional research; trying to find the receipts for these alleged trappers. I have itemized the receipts below. The earliest was 11-17-2010 - that removal occurred after my last meeting as Mayor of Palmetto Bay (Second Term). Shelley Stanczyk was sworn in as mayor at the following meeting. She also sat on the council next to me from 2006 – 2010 and served as mayor from 2010 to December 2014. The next receipt was dated April 11, 2011, followed by 11/1/13, 12/5/13, 1/3/2014 and 4/15/2014. 

None of these removals were for Muscovy Ducks. All were for the Egyptian Geese. All but one were during times when I was not in office. I will explain further about removals during my time in office. 

The Only Removals During the Flinn Administration Were Humane Removals/Relocations 

As stated previously, I was not in office from November 2010 through December 2014. 

Back to my first two terms, I was involved in one wildlife re-location with Todd Hardwick; but that was removing Wally the gator from the Perrine Wayside Park (Current Dog Park). I was assured that the gator was to be relocated (and he did qualify for relocation due to his or her size). That capture was featured on Animal Planet, the episode airing in January 2005. It was interesting that I was not made aware of the capture in advance. I was advised by a Miami Herald reporter (pictured above left) who advised me just before it happened. As you can see, I was dressed for court, not gator capture. But I did end up with a story for the hearing which was delayed so I could ensure that the gator was not harmed! 

 I did find a reference of an opossum removal at Coral Reef Park dated 12-11-2009. I was mayor at that time. I do not ever recall being advised of any opossum removal. I would love to hear what it did wrong. Possums are good guys. Perhaps the removal was more to remove a sick or an injured possum or to get it out of a vent or closet rather than a vicious possum running amuck in the park. Regardless, it was not part of an ongoing mission to eradicate opossums. 

I returned to office (Term 3) in December of 2014. Geese were removed at CRP park, but it ended in 2015. Again, I am looking for the reports/documentation relating to parks. Please note the difference in removal that occurred during my Third Term as noted in email of 4-14-2015 from Todd Hardwick of Pesky Critters to CRP Manager Luis Tejeda: 

Pesky Critters can remove geese at Coral Reef Park at a cost of $175 per animal removed. Animals will be placed in captivity. 

Thank you, 

Todd Hardwick 

(Bold emphasis added) 

I take Todd Hardwick at his word. These animals were not slaughtered. To the contrary, they were placed in captivity. 

The removals stopped cold in 2015 – that is until July 29, 2021, as indicated on the village supplied receipts. The Village has not documented any Muscovy duck removals occurring until recently, at least 3 years after my third term ended. 

But there is more. What concerns me is an 11-19-2021 removal of a fox at Coral Reef Park. What did the fox do? It was probably trying to make a go of it in the 5 acre nature preserve at the park - a place where native animals (such as foxes) should have sanctuary. And, by the way, foxes are predators of Muscovy ducks. Both the ducks and the eggs. Perhaps removal of the fox upset a natural balance going on at the park, keeping the duck population manageable - I cannot recall any complaints from 2015 to November 2018 when I last held office. 

Receipts (provided through the Village of Palmetto Bay) (attached): 

11-17-2010     $ 750.00     10 Geese         Pesky Critters 

04-11-2011     $ 675.00     12 Geese         Pesky Critters 

11-01-2013     $ 572.00      7 Geese         Miami Animal Removal 

12-05-2013     $ 218.00     Swan Goose       Miami Animal Removal 

01-03-2014     $ 236.00     10 Geese         Miami Animal Removal 

04-15-2014     $ 413.00      7 Geese         Miami Animal Removal 

04-15-2015     $ 525.00      3 Geese         Pesky Critters 

04-24-2015     $2,275.00    13 Geese         Pesky Critters – 

                                             SPECIAL NOTE see email 

                                             of 4-14-2015 

SPECIAL NOTE email of 4-14-2015 from Todd Hardwick of Pesky Critters to CRP Manager Luis Tejeda: 

Pesky Critters can remove geese at Coral Reef Park at a cost of $175 per animal removed. Animals will be placed in captivity. 

Thank you, 

Todd Hardwick

(Bold emphasis added) 

Don't leave out this 2021 removal:

07-21-2021     $ 350.00      2 Geese         Pesky Critters 

Please note the difference through price and ultimate resolution regarding the wildlife: 

$ 175.00 for Pesky Critters – the geese were humanely removed and placed into captivity 

$   45.00 for current trappers of Muscovy Ducks – slaughtered and photos of dead ducks circulated. 

Also see the records I pulled from the Palmetto Bay check register. (pictured below)

I am available to answer any follow-up questions regarding this at (305) 302-3713. However, my blanket statement is that any statement that ducks or geese were removed and killed during my terms of office is a slanderous falsehood, as the receipts clearly show this was not the case. 

This is not a political issue. The issue is how our wildlife is treated in Palmetto Bay.

Update on the Coral Reef Park trees. New ones planted. Look how far from the asphalt.

The new trees are far from replenishing the lost canopy as they will take 20-40 years to catch up to the ones lost to the ill-conceived bridge installation, but we will have to settle for what we can get from this current council. 

FAIR QUESTION: I have a question for those who mocked the warnings made in concern for those now lost trees: Why are these trees (thankfully) planted so far from the newly pour asphalt, far from the increased elevation? 

The question above was rhetorical as clearly the path was not healthy for the trees. It killed them and the trees became a feast for Ambrosia Beetles, which are primarily known to attack weakened, dying, and recently cut or killed trees - nature's dead wood clean up crew.  Look how far these trees were planted from the asphalt. It is my opinion that this is a clear admission that Palmetto Bay officials killed the trees and are not being responsible stewards of our environment.

Another comment: 1:1 replanting is insufficient. The canopy is not replaced. The replanting should be better than a 3:1 replacement to make up for what they Village squandered. Remember that more has been lost than just these 2 trees. There are 2 more Oaks cut down in the right of way at 82nd and Coral Reef Drive. And then there are the many, many trees being stripped from SW 136th Street for the MEGA sidewalk.

The scar that currently remains in the bridge path.

Ask yourself: Why wasn't a tree re-planted where a beautiful 40 plus year old oak once stood? Because it would have only a slightly better change of survival (the original had no chance).

THE TOOL BOX -  some prior related posts:

September 12, 2021, Why? These trees once thrived in Coral Reef Park. That is until this current mayor and council started their war on trees in Palmetto Bay

September 9, 2021, Remember the trees I warned the Village about in April? Well those trees are now dead. Why it matters.

March 5, 2020, Did I touch a nerve? Readers react. Village officials attempt to hide their shame behind a green screen for all to see at our upcoming community picnic. Update of the bridge.

September 9, 2021, Remember the trees I warned the Village about in April? Well those trees are now dead. Why it matters.

April 26, 2021, Poor Tree. Who determined where and how to locate the Coral Reef Park Bridge? Regulations ignored. Once again, Palmetto Bay acts say: do as (Palmetto Bay) says, not as Palmetto Bay does.

POD. Monday, 9/20/2021. Time to grind some stumps and sweep more issues under the rug

A friend of South Dade Updates (FOSDU) sent me photos taken at Coral Reef Park this morning.

A stump grinder is parked and ready to finish off the last remnants of those two original oak trees at Coral Reef Park. 

Inside baseball joke of the day: I wonder if the current mayor and council have their stump speech ready for this situation? They certainly have not been keeping us in the loop regarding the sad state of the war on trees currently going on in Palmetto Bay. 

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: Since they have the stump grinder at the ready, can we expect that the grinder will move from Coral Reef Park to the nearby 82nd Avenue at Coral Reef Drive? There have been two oak stumps that appear to represent a hazard as they are in the right of way and are only marked (at times) by an orange cone. Photos of the current status as well as the trees, pre cutting, are posted below for your reference.

Above, Current state of the stumps.

Below, many of us remember how these oat trees once looked.

FAIR QUESTION: When will these oaks be replaced? 4 mature oaks are documented in just this one blog post. How many others have been removed in Palmetto Bay?

THE TOOL BOX: CLICK HERE to view a 2016 presentation of the (then) Palmetto Bay Council urban forestry and tree addition initiatives 

A good (BAD) example of how Palmetto Bay officials are squandering our environmental assets. The affected trees were cut down & removed on 9-16-21

The Council never made a public statement about what was happening with these trees. Nope, not a peep - I'm sure their taxpayer funded PR department was of the opinion that it was better to say nothing than to admit their mistakes. But their actions did speak loudly as a tree removal crew quietly showed up on Thursday, September 16, to remove their mistakes. Two 40 plus year oaks were hacked down and removed from Coral Reef Park. What trees, you may ask? 

Please read to the end of this post. I raise the fair question as to whether this current administration, these current elected officials, can be (should they be?) entrusted with the beautiful 22 acres of  environmentally sensitive land at the Palmetto Bay Village Center.

Palmetto Bay's environmental record is turning to one of warnings ignored and waste of resources. Requests to save the trees ignored. All that is left is the deflection and other spin from our current elected officials who really wanted that third bridge so badly that they couldn't even wait to figure out how to place and build it without adversely affecting Coral Reef Park.

The heart cut into the stump (above # 1, left) speaks volumes. We were told by the current mayor's staff and supporters that the tree would be fine (as it existed in above # 2, right). We aren't hearing anything from any of them now.  I ask once again: Where is/was the Palmetto Bay Tree Board?

Above left another view of all that remains. Look how close the second victim was to the path (plus about 4 feet of earth pushed up against the trunk). The photo to the right is how the dead trees appeared just before the tree removal team showed up to remove the remaining evidence of these trees. 

Remember, these trees had thrived in Coral Reef Park for over 40 years. That is until this current administration took over and demonstrated their preference for asphalt and concrete. Take a look at Coral Reef Park to see how many new paths have been paved over grass. The paving of green space. But it is not just Coral Reef Park. The Palmetto Bay designed 8-10 foot shared path is yet another example of concrete over green.

These photos bring reality and mock the current administration's use of #PalmettoBayProud. Are you? Are they really?

Enough comments. Here are the photos of the day - a small series of photos sent to me by a fellow concerned resident. So many fellow residents are just floored as to how this current administration seems to have little concern for the trees.  I want to thank everyone who has reached out.

Before: the trees at Coral Reef Park - pre-bridge, pre-current council. Note the elevation

Post bridge completion. You can't see it as it happens, but the trees are being smothered -
and at risk of other tree diseases and pests such as beetles.

The toolbox - prior related posts:

September 12, 2021
Why? These trees once thrived in Coral Reef Park. That is until this current mayor and council started their war on trees in Palmetto Bay

September 9, 2021
Remember the trees I warned the Village about in April? Well those trees are now dead. Why it matters.

April 26, 2021
Poor Tree. Who determined where and how to locate the Coral Reef Park Bridge? Regulations ignored. Once again, Palmetto Bay acts say: do as (Palmetto Bay) says, not as Palmetto Bay does.

Parting thoughts:

The environmental track record of this council is very poor. They appear to say what people want to hear, but their actions, their record, demonstrates otherwise. Can we trust this group with the 22 acres at Palmetto Bay Village Center? 

See: 

September 18, 2020,

Protecting the 22 acres. The Palmetto Bay Village Center (PBVC) offers up a detailed 50 year covenant to protect the 22 acres of precious environmentally sensitive land. Palmetto Bay officials object. Why? A very important read. My opinions included.

October 18, 2018,
What’s So Special about a 22 Acre Forest on Old Cutler Road, by Eduardo Varona,  Guest Post

Why? These trees once thrived in Coral Reef Park. That is until this current mayor and council started their war on trees in Palmetto Bay

Coral Reef Park - losing beautiful specimen oak trees. These trees had thrived in Coral Reef Park for over 40 years. That is until this current administration took over and demonstrated their preference for asphalt and concrete. Take a look at Coral Reef Park to see how many new paths have been paved over grass. The paving of green space. But it is not just Coral Reef Park. The Palmetto Bay designed 8-10 foot shared path is yet another example of concrete over green.

These photos bring reality and mock the current administration's use of #PalmettoBayProud. Are you? Are they really?

Enough comments. Here are the photos of the day - a small series of photos sent to me by a fellow concerned resident. So many fellow residents are just floored as to how this current administration seems to have little concern for the trees.  I want to thank everyone who has reached out. 

I can't decide what stands out more: The two dead trees (any green is from the healthy trees behind the front two) or all that railing that now divides part of the part and has become a visual focus of the East side of the Park. The bridge has brought us more than 2 (for now) dead trees. It also has fenced off anyone from walking along the canal bank. I have yet to hear anyone tell me how all this railing adds beauty to the park.

Could this issue have been avoided if Palmetto Bay had gone through the proper process in pulling a permit?  See March 5, 2020, Palmetto Bay officials – acting as if “permits are for the little guy”: building a bridge without a permit – caught, now on hold, waiting for the permit. WTH (heck)??? Follow up on the issues.

Who designed and determined where to place this new bridge? The design required a significant ramp (also requiring a hard turn, further demonstrating how this current mayor and council shoehorned this bridge project into the park). Both trees had up to 4 feet of earth pushed up around their trunks. Frankly I can't believe the members of Palmetto Bay's Tree Board approved this - or sat quietly once the plans were presented. Where were they? Missing in action.

The current mayor and council succeeded if their goal was to clear the shade from parts of the Coral Reef Park paths as well as the SW 136st Street shared path. I wonder if the dead trees will  be removed from the park, or if they will remain as part of an upcoming Halloween event (scary dead trees) slated for Coral Reef  Park next month. 

The tool box: a link to Prior related Posts:

September 9, 2021, Remember the trees I warned the Village about in April? Well those trees are now dead. Why it matters.

March 5, 2020, Did I touch a nerve? Readers react. Village officials attempt to hide their shame behind a green screen for all to see at our upcoming community picnic. Update of the bridge.

September 9, 2021, Remember the trees I warned the Village about in April? Well those trees are now dead. Why it matters.

April 26, 2021, Poor Tree. Who determined where and how to locate the Coral Reef Park Bridge? Regulations ignored. Once again, Palmetto Bay acts say: do as (Palmetto Bay) says, not as Palmetto Bay does.

Remember the trees I warned the Village about in April? Well those trees are now dead. Why it matters.

Warnings, alarms, requests were issued in April about two oak trees being smothered, surrounded by concrete as part of the 3rd bridge construction in Coral Reef Park. They went unheeded. And now, two stately oaks, well over 30 feet tall appear quite dead, suffocated in just over 5 months time. How old were these trees? We can count the rings when the trees are cut down and removed. What a waste. A squandering of our natural environment.

Palmetto Bay: Tree City USA, are you kidding me?  Palmetto Bay "leadership" should be hanging their heads in shame. Village of Palmetto Bay officials seem to be on a mission to reach record numbers for tree killing in Palmetto Bay. Obviously green is no longer a priority or an official policy for the current mayor, council and staff.

There are several ways to kill trees. The most obvious is to cut down, rip out, like what is now happening along SW 136 Street - remember trees that we paid for in prior tax dollars. But don't worry, our tax dollars will be used to replace some of these mature trees with fewer and much smaller landscaping trees. Our tax dollars at work 3 times: 1. The original planting, 2. Removal,  and 3. New smaller trees representing partial replacement.

Another way to kill a tree to to smother it by raising the ground level around its original base as well as surrounding the root line with asphalt. This is the tactic Palmetto Bay officials employed at Coral Reef Park. The results are documented in the photos posted here.

The alarms were raised back in April of 2021. Alarms that were ignored and instead, village officials mocked those who attempted to bring this issue forward. Another example of official and blatant disrespect for any civil discourse in this community. Of course the deforestation of Palmetto Bay has since moved from Coral Reef Park and continues along SW 136th Street. See PRIOR RELATED POST of April 26, 2021, Poor Tree. Who determined where and how to locate the Coral Reef Park Bridge? Regulations ignored. Once again, Palmetto Bay acts say: do as (Palmetto Bay) says, not as Palmetto Bay does.

I warned. I called out to the public and asked for support, but no one heeded the call. What did we get from Palmetto Bay officials? Crickets. Now look at the trees pictured here. Do they look healthy to you? How about we have mayor Cunningham and each council member reach into their own pockets to pay to have them replaced rather than raise our taxes to pay for the damage going on in this village. 

It is obvious that these trees were expendable as they were in the way of what this current mayor and her administration felt to be more important: more cement, more asphalt and a third bridge that no one from the public asked for in Coral Reef Park.

Why it matters:

• People go to parks for trees. As mayor, I took pride in this village, I coined and introduced the moniker "Village of Parks". But more importantly, I worked hard to make Palmetto Bay the Village of Parks. The title should have meaning. But with that title comes responsibility.
• 
  A question of competence. Every child who has ever trapped a lizard in a jar knows that, if a living thing doesn't have enough air, it dies. Yet the mayor and council, a group that includes two supposed educators, didn't realize that pushing up the ground around the trees and then actually pouring an asphalt walkway around them would suffocate them. We were told they would be OK. Obviously they aren't. This current group of officials can't even care for mature trees that only need to be left alone to thrive. 
• 
  I took pride in leading Palmetto Bay to become a "Tree City USA" community. But let's face it, the village is backsliding under the current leadership. Poinciana Trees have been removed from 184th Street, trees are afterthoughts and are being removed from 136th Street to make way for the unnecessary mega 10 foot sidewalk and now this. Trees that survived Hurricane Andrew and so many other intense storms, named and unnamed, were unable to survive the onslaught brought on by the current administration.
  
• Our Budget. Mature specimen trees are expensive, At best, we start over with yearling trees that will take 30 years to reach the size of the two trees that finally succumbed to the asphalt. Can this group be trusted with new plantings when they are obviously so destructive on the well established specimens throughout Palmetto Bay?
• Responsibility to mange our natural resources. 
• Designing public projects. Who designed this bridge? A huge structure which many opine is out of scale with the park, both in its size as well as the lengthy railing seemingly required for this bridge (but somehow that railing is not the other 2 bridges that have served the park well for 40 years). And of course, they could not design the bridge to work in the park without smothering two very large specimen oak trees.
• Community trust in our government and the officials. We can see a continuing pattern of saying one thing; saying what people want to hear, but either doing the opposing or simply failing to follow through.

Palmetto Bay's Tree Inventory Action Plan. Well, members of the Palmetto Bay's Tree Board, here are two more trees that need to be counted along with all those along SW 136th Street; that you should update and remove from that great tree survey that Palmetto Bay taxpayers funded. Are you keeping score? You should be. You have but one very important job and we have not heard anything from you concerning the issues we have been raising. For a historical reference, I was the prime sponsor of creation of this Tree Board, part of our requirements for becoming a "Tree City USA" Community. the tree Board was created under ordinance 09-02, now codified under Article IV, Sec. 2-108. - Tree board, of our Village Code of Ordinances. It was enacted on 1-12-2009

Additional suggested reading:  July 6, 2021, “Trees are stationary superheroes”. Why not work around the long-time specimen trees that have historically shaded Palmetto Bay? They have much to contribute. They never received a fair hearing. What trees do for our Palmetto Bay community.

Is there still time to call upon Miracle Max? Maybe, just maybe, we can get lucky, and as Miracle Max (a character in The Princess Bride) would say, those trees are only mostly dead. Perhaps there is action that can be taken to bring these trees back that are mostly dead, if not actually dead, but as Miracle Max said: It would take a miracle! 

Below are some photos of how Coral reef Park look with when the trees were healthy, before the mega bridge.

A photo of the trees that thrived before the bridge.

The trees post bridge. Note the new raised elevation that impact their trunks.
Paving over their root lines

Concerned residents were told not to worry, this the tree would be fine - Wrong!