Potential Removal of Trees on Park Point

Posted at: 10/08/2009 5:23 PM

Park Point has been the host to numerous recreational activites for many. From hiking to biking, or just walking the dog. That experience could be affected by the plans at the Sky harbor aiport. The federal aviation administration says the airport needs to do something about the old growth stand of trees causing an obstruction to the runway. The Duluth Airport authority is in the process of a formal environmental assessment. The airport sits on Park Point, the world's largest freshwater sandbar. It is known for it's recreational areas for public use.

Outdoor enthusiast Rod Raymond of Duluth says there's not too many places like it on the planet. "This trail has become quite a recreation corridor for the events. Last week we had the Duluth Trail Festival where we brought up people from Chicago, Minneapolis, and Madison and for the first time they were on here for recreational purposes and I was on here I looked to the right on this trail and I saw a bunch of ribbons on all these trees, and I asked myself the question why are these ribbons on these trees," said Raymond.

Thirty-six aircraft are based at the Sky Harbor Airport. According to the reader's guide of the final scoping document for the FAA environmental assessment, alternative 12 is preferred and would require the removal of 528 trees. "I like the old growth forest too, I enjoy it, it's a beautiful recreational area and we need to continue to be able to enjoy that but at the same time the airport has been there many, many years, serves a vital function and that facility needs to be able to continue to operate where it is as well," said Brian Ryks of the Duluth Airport Authority.

Park Point resident Erin O'Daniel walks her dog on the path every day. "This is a sacred place for many people in this community," she said. "I think we have an expectation that this as public land is going to be protected," said O'Daniel

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