Everything seems to be on schedule. We've started the demolition, the pruning and removal of diseased trees, and the contractor is starting the underground utilities and walkway layout.

Every year we've been aggressively pruning out the deadwood. That helps a lot. I think we've lost fewer trees in the last five years than in the five before that.

It's not just an issue of the trees. The removal of the trees is part of the overall plan to reinvigorate the park.

They came by and red marked about 18 of my pine trees (for removal), and only one of them I can see is the least bit dangerous, and over half are not even in the right of way. But boy, they just want to take everything. I'm not very happy about that. I told them so when they called to get my permission. They put me down as refusing. I don't know what happens from there.

The schedule took its toll on everyone.

The key is never to skip a year in pruning.