Brent Richards and his beloved trees are thankful they will be saved. A Penticton resident was overjoyed Monday afternoon to learn that his beloved trees along his creekside property will not be cut down by the city. Brent Richards lives on Braid Street, on a manicured property filled with tall old trees hidden behind a fence that abuts the curving public path along Penticton Creek. However, according to the city, the actual property line is straight and cuts through many of the mature trees, meaning it would be within the city’s rights to remove them. That potential action became a reality only recently, Richards said, through the city’s plan to go ahead with widening the public trail, at the expense of trees. Richards told Castanet Monday that he has lost sleep in recent weeks, sickened by the thought of those trees being destroyed. He placed a laminated sign on his gate, next to the footpath, explaining the situation and asking passers-by to approach him or the mayor and council and express their support for saving the trees. Kun said returning. James Miller and newly elected K. Amelia Boultbee recently stopped by to discuss the matter. Far beyond his own property interests, Richards said, is concern for mature trees downtown in general. More than 200 people from the trail alone responded, Richards said, and he hadn’t even had time to send those signatures to the city council when word came that the city was no longer pursuing the trail extension. In a press release issued Monday afternoon, city staff said that after an arborist report, they would no longer proceed with extending the boardwalk on the portion of Richards’ property. “The city places great value on preserving and maintaining healthy trees, as protecting our natural environment is vital to maintaining the character of Penticton,” said Mayor Julius Bloomfield. “Our default position is always to maintain healthy trees when possible, whether on public or private land, and that’s the base that staff starts from and that was the process that was followed here.” The city said the expansion plan was to increase accessibility and safety. “We always evaluate and balance what is in the general public interest when considering any changes to public infrastructure,” said Kristen Dixon, the city’s general manager of infrastructure. “Having assessed the arboretum now, combined with our thorough analysis of all options and the corresponding public benefit, we have decided not to proceed with any change of course at this time.” Richards’ face lit up when he heard the news as he stood on the path by the trees and prepared to fight tooth and nail to save. “I’m surprised and thankful that the city would do the right thing, make a sensible decision about the trees on this property,” Richards said, adding a thank you to council members for listening to his concerns. Photo: Chelsea Powrie A sign posted at the Brent Richards gate along Penticton Creek, urging the public to help save the trees slated for removal along the trail
