We’ve just heard from the City of Vancouver that most of the Kaslo poplar trees will be cut down very soon, likely starting tomorrow. The biologist hired by Notre Dame’s project manager, issued a report yesterday and the City has accepted it.
Here’s what we’ve been told by the City:
- a biologist bird survey occurred as a requirement within 48 hrs of the tentative work starting
- the biologist has identified a very small number of nesting pairs at the base of several trees
- the trees closest to the nests, and a buffer of additional trees in proximity, will be retained for a number of weeks, subject to a follow up assessment by the biologist
- tree cutting has been recommended to occur at the north edge, moving to the SW corner within the 48 hour timeframe
It’s a sad and sudden end for these trees that have been a landmark in our neighbourhood for over 50 years. Tonight’s Frontline Cheer could be the last with the Kaslo poplars as a backdrop.
It seems that Vancouver’s green city talk is just that, talk. When push comes to shove, nothing gets in the way of a developers needs. Not even baby birds.
This is just the first step in a project that will leave our neighbourhood a poorer, less liveable place. We were promised a grass field, bordered by tall poplars trees. What we’re getting is a sunken artificial turf field, bordered by concrete and a parking lot. A veritable biological desert.
Not a good look, Greenest City.
Notre Dame Neighbours 
Oh this makes me so sad…….
Rachelle
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Yes. No other way to put it.
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Thank you June for this last hoorah for the poplars. It’s a lovely photo but a sad week in our neighbourhood. At least the trees with nesting birds won’t be cut down.
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This is so sad and unnecessary!
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Today feels so heavy as I see the trees falling from my house, one by one. There are many birds that call those trees home that I can watch from my window. How is the city letting this happen?? Are they removing the whole row??
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Yes they are removing all the poplars along Kaslo Street. A few on the south side (near Parker Street) will be retained because a biologist (hired by the school’s project managers as part of their permit application) found nesting birds in those trees. The City Manager Sadhu Johnston tells us the biologist will inspect again on 23 June to decide when the remaining trees come down.
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Hi Jasta. Yes, all the poplars will be gone shortly. Some of the trees on the southern end will stay until at least 23 June. The biologist will return to assess the nests he/she found and then make a report. It will depend on if the birds have fledged and left the nests. If he/she says they have, then the trees will all go very quickly, within 48 hours of the City granting a permit. Very sad to see these lovely trees fall and the great habitat with them. Went out this morning a saw many bird species around the remain the poplars.
The trees are going because the new stadium at Notre Dame will be build right up to the tree line, and be sunk at least 10 feet and surrounded by a concrete retaining wall. No room for the trees.
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Hi Jasta, I’m not sure you got my reply to “how did this happen?” Here’s what I tried to write to you a few days ago:
The Archdiocese and the Notre Dame leadership team & building committee are the people behind the stadium project. The developer William McCarthy is the driving force. He and this group have made all the decisions since 2004. You can check out the Timeline here on our website: https://notredameneighbours.com/2019/01/31/notre-dame-stadium-timeline/
We agree that building an artificial turf stadium is not a good choice for this neighbourhood. The original 2006 permit was a much better fit.
My apologies if you’ve already received this.
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This feels criminal, in fact. Are parents and students really okay with this sort of example for their community. Who made this decision, it just seems really backwards and incongruent with the goals of our neighbourhood.
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NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
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The Archdiocese and the Notre Dame leadership team & building committee. The developer William McCarthy is the driving force behind overall re-building project. This group have made all the decisions since 2004. You can check out the Timeline here on our website: https://notredameneighbours.com/2019/01/31/notre-dame-stadium-timeline/
We agree that building an artificial turf stadium is not a good choice for this neighbourhood. The original 2006 permit was a much better fit.
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