CP Rail removes thousands of trees from North Park Saskatoon neighborhood

Francisco Funes has lived on 33rd Street in the North Park area of Saskatoon for the last 10 years. One of the things he loved about the neighbourhood was the trees that lined it, providing a shady area to walk in the summertime and a barrier to the CP Rail trains that run right across the street.

All of those maple trees have been clear cut. Stumps line the street, along with leftover branches and debris. Funes says CP Rail began removing the trees back in March.

“They started from Warman Road and 33rd and came all the way to Seventh and 33rd. And then they paused for a few weeks. Maybe a little bit longer than that and then they started back from Spadina and 33rd and cut everything along here.”

He called the city to complain, because it was a big concern for him, and was told that no one could do anything about it because it was CP property.

One of the reasons he was told the trees were removed was because of a new policy to improve safety along the rail line. But if that’s the case, he doesn’t buy it.

“I’ve never heard the horn honk because of somebody, or make a sudden stop. It usually travels at a very slow speed…so there was no excuse for them to cut these trees here, like no excuse whatsoever.”

Richmond Heights/North Park Community Association President Melanie Vanderlinde says a community member who was able to contact CP Rail was told that sight lines for the train needed to be improved.

“It’s a new policy and that’s the reason they took everything from the tracks all the way down to the street. But the problem I’m seeing is that this area is through a neighbourhood. It’s people’s front yards, really and it’s along the bike commuter path.”

She and others who live in the area were not told that so many trees would have to be removed, and that’s left some people very upset.

“There was no consultation or communication with anybody, and then just all of a sudden all of these trees were being removed.”

It reminds Vanderlinde of “The Lorax” story by Dr. Seuss. She wonders whether the trees could simply have been trimmed.

“It’s such a huge difference. The trees created a sound barrier, a sight barrier from the train as well as help with CO2 emissions. People were shocked that’s how it’s been left.”

650 CKOM has contacted CP Rail to request an interview or a statement, but has not yet heard back from representatives.