Description

To Whom It May Concern:
I think Pinellas Park is one of the most well-managed cities in the county. However, with all due respect, I do have a question. I am wondering why the city chose to make our beautiful neighborhood so much less lovely the past couple of months. I want to know why they have chosen to remove the trees and bushes around Helen Howarth Park, Forbes Rec Center, and Fire Dept. 34. It was bulldozed, and it now looks like hell on earth with just dirt and a few mutilated, spindly trees. The lovely greenspaces in this area are one of the things that attracted us to it- that and the horse farms and the casual feeling you get living here. Now I see that a lot of the natural areas and wildlife are being destroyed for no apparent reason. They are not in the way of anything, so it just seems so senseless. In fact, this is one of the reasons my husband and I feel it might be time to leave Pinellas Park for "greener pastures". A word to the wise, many studies have shown that people prefer to live (and shop) in areas with lots of mature trees around. It makes people feel safe and nurtured, as well as giving us a landscape that is aesthetically pleasing. Having natural areas gives folks in the community a feeling of well-being and a scenic place to ride horses, walk, and recreate. With Pinellas Park's evident plan to take away our natural areas and make things look as hideous as possible, you can expect property values to go down. It has even been shown that a lack of natural areas adds to the amount of crime and stress in the community. People with a conscience (and people with higher incomes) will not want to live here. Also, we need trees to help our climate be more moderate and livable, and to keep our oxygen levels in our atmosphere replenished. Those who cut down trees and destroy natural areas, especially unnecessarily, are being very self-destructive and short-sighted. They are leading to ill health and unhappiness for people in the community, and taking away the homes of rabbits, birds, and other wildlife. I would like to know how the city justifies cutting down and taking away trees and plants - in a PARK of all places! I mean no offense, but I hope you will consider stopping this practice, and perhaps consider replanting, to remedy the harm that has been done. Thank you for your time and attention to this. I appreciate your consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Sheri Morrison