Will trees die to build Y?

Are trees going to be removed to construct a private, religiously affiliated building in a public park?

When we chose to share our tree with the public in a public space we never dreamed a private, religiously affiliated organization would take precedence and destroy life in order to erect a building.

We are so sad about this; we cannot believe it.

There is a tree planted at Mc-Intire Park in memory of my brother, Vance, who was killed at age 19 in a hit-and-run in Texas. My mother, who moved with me and my young daughter to Charlottesville, needed a special place in memory of her son. I walked around McIntire Park with a Charlottesville Parks employee while he showed me possible sites near the pavilions and softball fields where there were some pines that would likely be removed due to age or disease. He told me my donation of a replacement tree would ensure that the tree would be watered in the first few months — but after that it would be up to the tree to survive. A baby oak tree was planted, and my mother was thrilled.

Fifteen years after planting, this tree is now coming into its prime — stunning in shape and size. It has done more than survive and fill that space in the park; we’ve had picnics and other family gatherings in its shade.

My daughter was told she was going to have a baby sister, we said our last good-byes to our infirm dog there before she was euthanized, and my toddler practiced her new skill of walking in the clover near the tree. We were thrilled when the tree had its first acorns, and have seen many Charlottesville patrons enjoying its shade.

We just did not dream that in Charlottesville, a private, religiously affiliated organization would take precedence and destroy this beautiful park in order to erect a building for its membership. We are so sad about this.