Durango community members rallied this week to save an old cottonwood tree from encroaching bulldozers.
After years of growing up near the Animas River, the cottonwood tree now stands in the way of the 32nd Street pedestrian bridge project. It was scheduled to be cut down Wednesday to make way for the newest feature of the Animas River Trail. But after receiving dozens of emails, the city of Durango decided to hold off on removing the tree – temporarily.
“We’re not going to remove the tree tomorrow,” said Ture Nycum, the city’s new Parks and Recreation director. “I’m going to re-evaluate the trail alignment and see if there are other options.”
The tree sits on the north side of the 32nd Street bridge and the eastern bank of the Animas River, on a residential lot purchased by the city to build the pedestrian bridge.
Once completed, the river trail will pass under the bridge on the east side of the river, loop around to street level, then cross the river to the western bank on a pedestrian-only bridge.
The $3.4 million project has been heavily debated, with design approvals then backtracking and divided community input. After more than a year of planning, construction began in late July.
“The current design shows it going right through where the tree is right now,” Nycum said.
After learning the tree would be removed, community members and neighborhood residents began emailing city staff members Monday and Tuesday, he said.
“However, time is of the essence as I don’t know how long this pause will last,” said Jules Harris, who lives across the street. “There has been talk among my neighbors of climbing the tree to stop the cut.”
She said people are attached to the tree because it is an old, huge cottonwood.
“It’s just an iconic tree here. It’s one of the oldest ones in the neighborhood,” Harris said. “This street is so busy, so many people know that tree. It turns completely ablaze in the fall. It’s just gorgeous.”
Nycum said he doesn’t know how old the tree is. The city plans to talk to the trail designer and contractor to evaluate alternatives and the cost of changing the design. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board or City Council might have to approve additional costs, depending on the situation, he said.
He hoped to have an update by next week.
“Our hope is to progress the project along in a relatively quick manner,” Nycum said. “We’re hoping we’re not delayed.”
smullane@durangoherald.com
